Posts Tagged ‘bike commuting’

Rings & Things is a “Bicycle Friendly Business”

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Thanks for the recognition!

My other car is a *real* bike!

My other car is a *real* bike!

The League of American Bicyclists recently announced 45 new Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) award winners, including Rings & Things. This was the third time BFB winners have been announced since the program’s inception in 2008, when the League announced the first 13 designees; it puts us in the ranks of businesses like Rodale Publishing, REI stores, and the World Bank.

BFB businesses make bicycle-friendliness a core element in the workplace, and use innovative tools to promote bicycling as an easy and fun option for transportation and recreation.

The BFB program recognizes socially responsible businesses that promote healthy, happy, and green workplaces, and provides a road map to become even more bike-friendly in the years to come.

BFB winners provide amenities such as secure bike parking and shower facilities, and motivations such as incentives to commute by bike and bike to Work Week promotions. When bicycling is infused in a company’s culture, great things happen: reduced health care costs; more productive employees; improved worker and customer satisfaction; smaller carbon footprint; and increased corporate social responsibility. It’s also fun to bike :)

Applying as a BFB is easy and free. Applicants receive technical assistance from the League staff as well as tools to evaluate and assess their bicycle friendliness through the application process.  Rings & Things encourages other businesses to make a difference by supporting employee bicycling.

Nice Earth Day present: a “worksite bike”!

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Happy Earth Day! Rings & Things has been awarded a brand-new bike for employees to use for errands during the day.

ctr_bikec-010

Left to right: Rings & Things' Val, Mayor Verner, and R&T people Dave, Cindy, Selina, and Russ

Spokane mayor, Mary Verner, presented select participants in Washington state’s Commute Trip Reduction program with their new Worksite Bicycles on Earth Day.  For its voluntary participation in the CTR program (and with 96% of employees taking part!), Rings & Things received one of these fine bikes.

Ten local workplaces were given commuter bikes in The Chase Gallery, just outside the City Council Chambers.  A whole package of items was presented to each business:

  • A durable new Giant “Sedona ST” bicycle, built for comfort and “heads up” riding
  • A Bell “Venture” adjustable-fit safety helmet
  • A Kryptonite U-Lock/Flex Cable key-lock security locking system
  • A bicycle tire pump with gauge for maintaining proper tire pressure

In a nice bit of recognition, Rings & Things’ diligent Employee Transportation Coordinator, Selina Shehan, was interviewed by two TV stations, KHQ (in a story headlined “Spokane Residents Live a Little More ‘Green’ “) and KXLY.  View and read more at their websites!

We’d like to recognize the other workplaces who were honored yesterday:

  • CH2M Hill
  • Coffman Engineers
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Red Lion Hotels
  • Riverpoint Parking & Transportation Services
  • Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC)
  • The Spokesman-Review
  • Sterling Savings Bank
  • Spokane City Hall

How did you celebrate Earth Day — with special beads, designs, promotions or activities?  Share in a comment below!

April giveaway: “DIY Display Ideas”:
* You enter by leaving comments under the March 31 giveaway announcement
* At the end of April, 2 winners will receive coveted Rings & Things goodie packs!
*
So read the blog regularly to see if you won!