Champions Tip of the Week: National Bike Month

May 1 kicks off the nation-wide celebrations of National Bike Month, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. The Washington DC area, like many other communities across the country, will host a variety of bicycle-related events, all with the intention of getting people to try biking more often.

National Bike Month is a great time to think about all the different activities that companies and properties can do to gain recognition as part of the ATP Champions program. With Silver, Gold, and Platinum activities, there is something for all Champion levels. Check out the list below, then contact ATP now to get started!

Silver Level

Bike to Work Day: Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicycling Association team up every year to celebrate Bike to Work Day. This year there are 79 pit stops throughout the Metro area, including six in Arlington (Crystal City celebrates Bike to Work Week, sponsored by the BID!). Encourage employees and tenants to register, and support those who do with coffee and high-fives. Those who do not own their own bicycles can use Capital Bikeshare to complete their journey, even if it’s simply the last 5 blocks to work!

Capital Bikeshare corporate and/or bulk memberships: Corporate programs reduce the cost of annual or daily memberships, and are fun and popular way to encourage exercise, healthy habits, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality. Companies throughout Arlington are jumping on the bandwagon, or rather, bicycle, and offering discounts to employees – National Bike Month is the perfect time to join them!

Gold Level

Bicycle Friendly Business: Awarded twice a year, this designation awards businesses and properties for everything they do to support bicycling for their employees and tenants, including education, infrastructure, maintenance, and more. It’s easier than you think, and looks great next to your company name. The next round of applications are due June 12th!

Install bicycle infrastructure: Providing a place for employees to put their bikes in your building or office is an important way to encourage bicycling. Covered, secured bike parking and storage is key to getting people to ride their bikes.

Provide showers or gym memberships: Many employees express a desire to walk or bike to work, but prefer not to due to lack of shower facilities. Providing gym memberships or showers can help remove that last barrier!

Platinum Level

Monthly bicycle benefit: This program is part of the subsidized transportation benefit as defined by the IRS. Many do not know that it is possible to receive $20 a month if the primary mode of transportation is by bicycle. If employees are being offered a transit subsidy, it also would be beneficial to offer something similar for other modes, such as bicycling.

Hope to see you out on two wheels this month!