PAL Awarded Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Business Designation

Partners for Active Living named a Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Business^SM by the League of American Bicyclists

PAL encourages bicycling both in and out of the workplace

Spartanburg, SC - Today the League of American Bicyclists recognized Partners for Active Living (PAL) with a Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB^SM) award, one of only four others in the country recognized at this highest level in 2015.

With the announcement of 100 new and renewing BFBs today, Partners for Active Living joins a cutting-edge group of more than 1,050 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies in 47 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 Partners for Active Living, for leading the charge in creating a bicycle-friendly America for everyone.”

Being a Bicycle Friendly Business has created a more positive and healthy work environment for the PAL staff. Partners for Active Living encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as bicycle racks and incentives such as free BCycle memberships and days off for active living.

“Partners for Active Living feels that it is critical to the health of our employees and to fulfilling our mission to make physical activity as convenient and accessible as possible for our staff, guests, board members, and volunteers,” said Laura Ringo, PAL executive director. “We are honored by this tremendous recognition. If we as a small nonprofit with limited resources can accomplish this, then we know other businesses in our community can certainly do the same.”

Moving forward, Partners for Active Living will have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly. When our employees bike, great things happen: We become more connected with our community and improve the health and culture of our workplace.

To apply or learn more about the BFB program, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/business

For a full list of 2015 awardees, visit http://bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/BFB_Summer_2015_only.pdf

About Partners for Active Living

Partners for Active Living transforms Spartanburg County, South Carolina into a vibrant, healthy, connected community where we live and grow. Approximately 75% of chronic diseases are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices, and Partners for Active Living is getting in front of the health issues facing our community. PAL wants physical activity to be as easy as possible in Spartanburg. “PAL” frames our work in a three pronged message, which all point to healthy eating and active living: childhood obesity prevention, trail development, walking and bicycling for everyone.

About the Bicycle Friendly America^SM Program

The Bicycle Friendly Community^SM, Bicycle Friendly State^SM, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University^SM programs are generously supported by program partner Trek Bicycle Corp. 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.