Spokane Mayor Mary Verner helped kick off Spokane Bike to Work Week by dropping a major announcement: Spokane has been awarded Bike Friendly City Bronze status by the American League of Bicyclists. This is the first time the City has ever received this award and while it is a great achievement it also shows that the City has room for improvement in order to join elite status among America’s bike-friendly cities.

This morning’s announcement came at the pancake breakfast kick-off this morning in Riverfront Park, which was attended by several hundred bicycle commuters. The event was sponsored by Mountain Gear, Roasthouse Coffee, and Rings and Things. Special thanks to the morning’s MC and overall coordinator the tireless Barb Chamberlain.

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It’s true — the dates have been set for this year’s Bike to Work Week: May 16-22!

Last year,  Bike to Work Week that drew 1,472 registered participants. In total, during Bike to Work Week participants avoided more than 64,000 miles of vehicle transportation by riding their bikes.

Volunteer committee chair Barb Chamberlain says the 2010 goal is to register 1,700 participants and sign up at least 80 teams for the Commute Challenge. Bike to Work Week 2009 included a Bicycle Education Fair, Walk & Roll to School Day at Spokane Public Schools with over 2,200 students participating, the Group Health Commute Challenge with 62 teams.

In 2010 the Commute Challenge will be extended to a month, with Bike to Work Week as the kickoff.

Registration for the 2010 edition of Bike to Work Week will open in March. For more information, visit biketoworkspokane.org.

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The Couer d’Alene office of J-U-B Engineers, a Boise-based civil engineering firm, was one of only three businesses in Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington recognized as Bicycle Friendly Businesses by the League of American Bicyclists. Mountain Gear in Spokane Valley and Rings & Things in Spokane also made the list.

What qualified them? Shower facilities for employees, indoor bike parking and a dedicated group of bike-commuting employees (two of which ride all through the winter), says engineer Chris Bosley, who led J-U-B’s first attempt at making the list. The company also participates in the Bike-to-Work Week Commuter Challenge each year.

“By providing showers and indoor bicycle parking, we encourage employees to commute by bike,” said J-U-B regional manager Dale Baune in a press release.  “Biking to work helps to keep our employees healthy and productive.”

The Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) program recognizes businesses who excel at encouraging employees and customers to use bicycles instead of cars. Benefits, they say, include reduced health care costs, more productive employees, improved worker and customer satisfaction, smaller carbon footprint and increased corporate social responsibility.

Congratulations, J-U-B, Mountain Gear and Rings & Things!

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