The 2010 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards presentation, which took place at the Gladstone Hotel, paid tribute to businesses and organizations that demonstrate leadership in encouraging cycling by employees and/or customers. By doing so, these businesses are helping to promote the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation that contributes to a reduction in traffic congestion and pollution.
The following businesses and organizations were recognized for their bicycle friendliness:
- Best Bike Parking Award: Terrazza
- Bicycle-Friendliest Suburban Business: ZM Cycle and Fitness
- Best Small Business Award: Dufflet Pasteries
- Best Large Business Award: Ontario Medical Association
- Best Skills Development Award: Bike Pirates
- Best Overall Award: Wiedman Communications
Here is some more detailed information about the award recipients and why they were selected.
Best Bike Parking
Terrazza recently installed bike parking furniture in front of their restaurant that resemble the old Penny-farthing style of bicycle popular in the late 1800's. The furniture, of varying sizes and colours not only looks great as you pass by, but gives the cyclist portion of their customers a great well lit parking spot close to the restaurant in any area where other street parking furniture can be hard to come by. The fact that Harbord St. also offers a bike lane makes this a great spot for cyclist to stop for a nice meal.
Best Skills Development
Bike Pirates is a 100% volunteer run do-it-yourself bike clinic that offers a safe, friendly and inclusive space for members of the community to repair, maintain or build themselves a bicycle. Open since summer 2006, it relies entirely on donations of bikes and parts as well as money for the use of tools and volunteer expertise for their operation. Bike Pirates can be found and various community events around the city and are a driving force for cycling education and advocacy in Toronto.
Best Small Business
Dufflet has been a sweets staple on Queen St. W since the 80's. The tour de Dufflet is an annual event that encourages cyclists to cycle to the different Dufflet locations and once complete they are rewarded with Dufflet's famous sweets. This event has become a yearly staple for many cyclists in Toronto. Dufflet has been a long time sponsor of cycling events.
Best Large Business
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) negotiated with the landlord to install bike racks in two locations (indoor and outdoor), installed showers in the office, and created a Bike Users Group for the building. In addition, OMA participates in the clean air commute and the Big Bike event, and promotes an active culture and active commuting among employees. Using BIXI Toronto bikes to get to downtown meetings has been promoted to employees as an alternative to taking taxis when it is feasible to use them. These are clear examples showing the OMA to be a bicycle friendly business.
Bicycle-Friendliest Suburban Business
ZM Cycle and Fitness is more than a bike shop organizing cycling events for all ranges of participants. Some examples are the annual Toronto Criterium at St. Lawrence market since 2008, hosting the National Cyclocross Championships (2010 and 2011) and a number of other cycling events. Owner Ziggy Martuzalski has shown leadership in cycling activities.
Best Overall
Wiedman Communications has been in business for four years now. All activities are done by bicycle whenever possible. Clients and partners are all encouraged to do the same - and explore Ontario by bike and transit.
Wiedman Communications created BikesandTransit.com, as the 'GO-by-Bike to Ajax!' public awareness pilot project in 2008, and has grown it into BikesandTransit.com 2011 with 13 suggested local cycling destinations, 22 bike routes, 10,000 visitors to the website each year, and partner municipalities from Oshawa to Hamilton to Grimsby. Partners amongst others include Toronto & Region Conservation, Waterfront Trust, Metrolinx and Smart Commute Hamilton.
The Bicycle Friendly Business Awards would like to thank Sponsors Tour d'Afrique and Live Metal Works.
Toronto Cyclists Union
Live Metal Works
