More Fort Collins businesses make 'bike friendly' list

Fort Collins leads the country in the number of bike friendly businesses as recognized by the League of American Bicyclists.

The league added 18 more Fort Collins companies to its list of bike friendly businesses on Wednesday – Earth Day – bringing the total to 39, the most of any city on the league's roster. Nationwide, 161 businesses were added to the list, bringing it to 962 businesses.

Businesses apply for the bike friendly distinction and are judged in several areas, including encouraging employees to bicycle to work, providing bike parking for workers and customers, providing access to educational materials, such as maps and tip sheets, and planning for events such as Bike to Work Day.

Designations are made in the spring and fall. Businesses receiving recognition are ranked at platinum, gold, silver, or bronze levels.

A group of local bicycling enthusiasts promoted the league's program with Fort Collins businesses and encouraged them to apply, said Jeff Nosal, a member of the group.

The goal was to encourage and grow support for cycling in the city. The group hopes to "keep the momentum going," Nosal said.

"The more businesses that are bike friendly and recognize the significance of bicycling in Fort Collins the easier it is to get things done," he said.

The following businesses were recognized by the league this spring:

Brave New Wheel, bronze; Dresser-Rand Enginuity, silver; Fort Collins Bike Co-op, silver; Fort Collins Bike Library, gold; Horse & Dragon Brewing Co., silver; Jax Outdoor Gear, bronze; Niner Bikes, silver; Odell Brewing Co., silver; Peloton Cycles, silver; Platte River Power Authority, bronze; Snooze AM Eatery, bronze; Source Endurance Training Center of the Rockies, gold; The Armstrong Hotel, bronze; The Gardens on Spring Creek, silver; The Town Church, silver; The Wright Life, bronze; University of Colorado Health, Poudre Valley Hospital, silver; Whole Foods Market, bronze.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan and Water Pik, Inc, received honorable mentions.

Already on the league's list were:

New Belgium Brewing Co., platinum; OtterBox, silver; Front Range Internet, Inc., bronze; Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Hospital, bronze; EnviroFriendly Lawn Care, bronze; In-Situ Inc., bronze; Advanced Micro Devices, bronze; Big Shot Bikes, LLC, silver; Equinox Brewing Co., bronze; REI, gold; City of Fort Collins, platinum; ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours, bronze; Hodkings Beckley Consulting, LLC, gold; Trebuchet Group, silver; Health District of Northern Larimer County, silver; Avago Technologies, silver; National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, bronze; Terracon Consultant, Inc., silver; The Cupboard, bronze; Trinity Lutheran Church, bronze; Woodward Inc., bronze.

In separate category, Colorado State University is a considered a "gold" bike friendly university.

Kevin Duggan is a Coloradoan senior reporter covering local government. Follow him on Twitter, @coloradoan_dugg.