The League of American Bicyclists (Website), which is not a superhero team, has recently recognized the City of Orlando with a Gold Bicycle Friendly Business award.
The City of Orlando is now one of more than 1,500 businesses across the country that is seen as contributing to the movement to build a more Bicycle Friendly America, at least according to the League of (extraordinary) American Bicyclists.
The City’s recent investments in biking infrastructure and amenities, including safer bike parking, bike repair stations, bike safety training events, a bike share program, employee showers, and incentives such as bike commuter benefits, helped it to receive the award.
“Orlando has been hard at work transforming the City Beautiful into the City Bikeable — a world-class, economically vibrant, sustainable city with multi-modal transportation options for residents and visitors alike. The Bicycle Friendly Business program highlights the partnerships needed to make such a city a reality. We’re proud that Orlando can lead by example and delighted to be one of the hundreds of cities across the U.S. making infrastructure investments at the municipal level, supported by local businesses that welcome and celebrate their employees and patrons that arrive by bike.”
– JOHN “BUDDY” DYER, MAYOR, CITY OF ORLANDO
The City also worked with The Milk District Main Street (which was the only one that showed interest, allegedly), to help eight businesses also receive awards through the BFB program for a total of 12 winning local businesses:
- Kyle’s Bike Shop, Gold Certification
- HDR Inc., Silver Certification
- Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., Silver Certification
- VHB, Silver Certification
- À La Cart, Bronze Certification
- Alchemy Salon, Bronze Certification
- Barley & Vine Biergarten, Bronze Certification
- Inwood Consulting Engineers, Inc., Bronze Certification
- Juice Bar, Bronze Certification
- Sideward Brewing Co., Bronze Certification
- The Nook on Robinson, Bronze Certification
- Whippoorwill Beer House and Package Store, Bronze Certification
The Bicycle Friendly America program awards designations based on the five qualities of engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation, and equality and accessibility. Examples of bicycle friendliness include hosting events that support bicyclists, encouraging customers and/or employees to arrive by bike, and providing facilities that make bicycling to their establishments easier, such as bike parking. Check out the photos at the bottom of this story for some examples of Milk District businesses living their best bike-friendly lives.
As part of the BFB network, the City of Orlando and these businesses will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to continue working on how welcoming they are to cyclists.
“Orlando is ready to ride and creating a solid mobility foundation for all users is paramount within our transportation department. Each business that becomes bike friendly brings us one ride closer to a network that is connected, accessible and innovative.”
– TANYA WILDER, DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATIO DEPARTMENT, CITY OF ORLANDO
The City of Orlando bicycle network consists of over 45 miles of off-street trails, over 50 miles of signed routes, and over 265 miles of bicycle lanes. In Orlando’s urban core. City Hall is currently working on a new Downtown Action Plan that will include two-waying streets, widening sidewalks, and creating a better-connected urban trail system. In 2023, portions of the Downtown Loop, including the North Quarter Urban Trail Gap and the Downtown Connector Trail Gap, will be completed to help further the 8.5-mile trail through the greater downtown Orlando area.
