Last week, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Higher Grounds with a Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB℠) award, joining nearly 1,200 progressive businesses from across the country.
With the announcement of 76 new and renewing BFBs, Higher Grounds joins a forward-thinking group of 1,197 local businesses, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies in 49 states and Washington, D.C., that are transforming the American workplace.
“The business community’s investment in bicycling is playing a central role in making the country a safer, happier, and more sustainable place to live and work,” said Amelia Neptune, League Bicycle Friendly Business Program Manager. “We applaud this new round of businesses, including Higher Grounds, for leading the charge in creating a bicycle-friendly America for everyone.”
Since 2009, Higher Grounds has delivered hundreds of pounds of coffee weekly via bike year-round in Traverse City. To date, the Beans by Bike program has delivered over 150,000 pounds of coffee, logging 3700 miles. Higher Grounds encourages bicycling as a healthy option for transportation and partners with like-minded community organizations such as Norte Youth Cycling with seasonal Coffees for Change, a rotating lineup of blends that generate donations to area nonprofit groups.
“The folks at Norte! are focused on inspiring area youth through bicycles and fostering the next generation of healthy, active leaders in our community,” says HG director of coffee Jennifer Yeatts. “We’re thrilled and proud to be part of such an awesome, bike-friendly community.”
Moving forward, Higher Grounds will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly. When employees bike, great things happen: carbon footprints are reduced, health care costs are minimized, and a fun and healthy work culture is promoted.
To apply or learn more about the BFB program, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/business.
About the Bicycle Friendly America℠ Program
The Bicycle Friendly Community℠, Bicycle Friendly State℠, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University℠ programs are generously supported by program partner Trek Bicycle Corp and Silver-level BFA Sponsor Planet Bike. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.
The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change.