Bike Friendly Biz
Jimmy Hallyburton
Upcoming Application Deadline July 15th
THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB...
I like to fix things and I like to create things, therefore I like tools.
A tool by definition is: A device or implement, especially one held in the hand, used to carry out a particular function.
The wrenches I use on a bike are certainly your typical tools. I built this website on Squarespace to carry out a particular function of engaging an audience, so yep Squarespance is another type of tool. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, more tools to reach and engage the community. On a few of these Blog posts, you’ll find me referring to the Bicycle Friendly America program created by the League of American Bicyclists, and I want you to think of that program as a tool as well. The particular function? To help communities, businesses, schools, and states create a dialog and a blueprint for bicycle friendly improvement.
Click for the full BFA Brochure
Some bicyclists aren’t fans of the League. I think some people don’t like politics or lobbing. There might be some other reasons, but I’m not sure I really care. I don’t think the League is the answer to all things bicycle friendly, but I do think they’re doing their damnedest to create change via the bicycle and I respect the hell out of that. What I respect just as much, is the change they’ve created for the organization I work at (Boise Bicycle Project), and the other organizations I’ve seen benefit from their Bicycle Friendly Business program (BFB).
I’m not always a huge fan of acronyms, because they can sometimes isolate people who don’t know what they stand for, but from here on out, I’ll refer to Bike Friendly Businesses as "BFBs." I'll also refer to businesses as "biz's."
Boise "BFB" History...
At one point Boise had the most BFBs in the country. Largely because a handful of folks, including Dave Fotsch, Lisa Brady, Linda Whittig, and myself, were going door to door getting biz’s to sign up. We don’t have the most any more. Fort Collins has 41 and Boise has 35. I’ll talk more about this later.
I truly believe getting biz's to embrace the BFB program is one of the most effective things we can do to transform Boise's community into a better place for bike riders. So, 2 years ago, I approached the Major’s Office with a plan to generate 100 BFBs by 2015. I had identified 100 biz’s that I thought were already “bicycle friendly” but just hadn’t taken the time to apply. The Mayor’s office was excited about the idea, but it never really gained any traction, so the handful of folks mentioned above continued to do their best on their own, but momentum was lost.
Drake Cooper, a Silver BFB since 2014
CRAP, I GUESS I SHOULD EXPLAIN A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE BFB PROGRAM...
It’s an online application that forces you to evaluate all of the different attributes that make your biz bicycle friendly or not so friendly. There’s about 100 questions and it takes 30 minutes to answer all the easy ones, 3o minutes to do some internal research about the less obvious questions, and another 15 minutes to finalize the process. The great thing about the application process is that it gives you a glimpse into the things you’re doing right and the things you could be doing better. Once you submit your application, you get your award (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, or “get to work”). More importantly, you get a blueprint of what you’re doing well, what the easy next steps are to move up, and what the longer term steps are to move even higher. It gives you a tool for positive change.
Once awarded, you will recognized nationally on the League's site, and locally on the #RideOnBoise's cite (hopefully on the City of Boise's someday), as an official “Bicycle Friendly Business.”
It’s explained a lot better on their website, but if I had two cents to add, it would be that it’s worth it. Yah it takes a little bit of time, but it will put you and your organization on a path that it wasn’t on before. A path that’s good for business, good for its employees, and good for the community.
Back to the Fort Collins thing. About a year ago, Boise and Pittsburg were featured in national magazines for the battle to have the most BFBs. We were tied for first. Someone from Fort Collins read that article, called a few of the players in Boise for advise, and constructed a team of folks in Fort Collins to lead an initiative to signup 200 BFBs by 2017. They had 18 biz’s awarded last April and hope to have another 40 for the next deadline on July 15th. I have no doubt that they will. See how Fort Collins did it here.
Kudos Fort Collins. There is something wonderfully romantic, grassroots, and effective about citizen led initiatives. I love it when people take matters into their own hands, and this is what Boise will need to do if we want to keep generating change in the business community. That is why creating a BFB team to recruit 100 biz's by 2016 is officially step #2 in #RideOnBoise's 10 Steps.
3 Call to action...
1. APPLY TODAY...
The next deadline is July 15th, which means you should try to get started in the next few days if you want to make this round. For the first time ever, there’s a small fee for applying, but it’s totally worth the outcome. Don't let the fee scare you away, it's minimal.
Official Bicycle Friendly Business Application
BFB application preview
Upcoming Deadlines and Fees
2. Create a "BFB" Team...
Who would like to be on a team that helps recruit and promote Bicycle Friendly Biz's? If I can find 4 people who are interested in helping with this effort, I will set up a meeting and we'll get cracking for the Fall Deadline. I envision meeting about once a month, but it will be up to the team. Email Rideonboise@gmail.com or submit the form below if you're interested.
3. Shop at a BFB and let them know that's why you're there...
Why wouldn't you want to support organizations who are trying to be more bicycle friendly for their customers, employees, and their community? Do it!
Boise's Bicycle Friendly Businesses
Currently Boise doesn't have one single "Bicycle Friendly" restaurant! At least none that have applied. I challenge 10 Barrel, Crooked Fence, St Lawrence Gridiron, Bittercreek, Big City Coffee, Lulu's and The Grind to be the first. Or someone else to jump in surprise them all!