ACOG’s Bicycle Friendly Business Guide aims to support social, economic improvements for OKC businesses

In an effort to increase options for individuals who choose to commute and travel by bike, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) put together a Bicycle Friendly Business Guide. This guide offers detailed descriptions and multiple ideas for how businesses can support cycling in the community as a means for transportation.

Businesses can invest in bike racks, bicycle repair stations, and bicycle checkout programs. If storing a fleet of bicycles is not an option, businesses could consider funding the usage of bike share programs like Spokies OKC.

Another factor to consider in increasing employees’ ability to comfortably bike to work is to provide places for them to shower or change. Doing so eliminates the hygiene barrier that prevents some people from cycling to work. By making the process simple for employees, more individuals may be encouraged to give biking to work a try.

“There are many reasons a business should support bicycling. Research has shown customers who walk, bike, or use transit spend up to 40% more than customers who drive. As the region continues to invest in bike lanes and trails, we need to be ready for the increase in people bicycling for transportation,” said Jordan Evans, ACOG’s associate transportation planner. “Whether they’re customers or employees, by providing quality bike racks and other amenities, businesses can reap the benefits of their support for bicycling.”

If your business is interested in investing in bike racks or bike repair stations, you may consider working with the City of Oklahoma City to apply for funding. In recent years, Downtown OKC provided funding through a financial match and the City of OKC sent in an application to ACOG’s Air Quality Grants for Central Oklahoma. Through this collaboration, 50 bike racks were placed throughout the downtown area.

“Businesses have a huge influence on the bikeability of a city or town. By showing their support for bike lanes, trails, and sidewalks, businesses can help bring a new client base to their front door,” said Evans.

In addition to making our community more supportive and accommodating to those who choose to travel by bike, these efforts could help Oklahoma City receive recognition from the League of American Bicyclists as a designated bike-friendly community. Our state currently ranks 41 out of 50 in bicycle friendliness and we have 17 recognized bicycle-friendly businesses statewide. Chamber Member Allegiance Credit Union is one of two such bicycle-friendly businesses in the city.

If more people biked to work, traffic congestion would be reduced, fewer CO2 emissions would be released into our air, and our community would be collectively healthier. Consider reading the Bicycle Friendly Business Guide to see what your business or organization can do to support these efforts.