Announcing BizCycle’s first certified business: Washington Bike Law

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Cascade Bicycle Club  is thrilled to announce that  Washington Bike Law has been certified as a silver level bicycle-friendly business.

Lawyer Bob Anderton was first in the door to apply his business for BizCycle certification, and he has set the bar high.

Advertised as “experienced and effective bicycle attorneys who bike to work and work for bicyclists”, at Washington Bike Law, bikes literally mean business. Anderton and his three-person firm represent injured bicyclists, and they're also all bicycle commuters themselves.

Washington Bike Law fosters a culture conducive to bicycling. Employees are encouraged to ride whenever possible, and their general needs are supported both formally through financial incentives, secure bicycle parking and lockers; and informally through general organizational camaraderie toward bicycle commuting. When a new member to the firm was riding in on a folding bicycle, Anderton provided funding for a bicycle more suitable for the six-foot-tall lawyer. Anderton’s application even described helping an employee juggle kids and commuting. “Dave, the lawyer with three kids, is getting a three-seated electric assist bike so he will have far fewer reasons not to ride every day," he said.

Washington Bike Law’s support for bicycling doesn’t stop within the office.  Anderton swept the leadership category with the organization’s avid participation in the current Bicycle Master Plan Update, Anderton’s advocacy work for West Seattle Bike Connections and the West Seattle Water Taxi, and proposed legislation for strict liability in the event of car collisions with bicyclists or pedestrians. Additionally, Washington Bike Law sponsors Spokeswoman Racing and Bike Works.

Washington Bike Law’s application snatched up a total of three innovation credits across three of five categories. In leadership, they are the primary funder of Bike Works’ upcoming Bikes for All program that will provide bikes, gear and safety training to low-income individuals. The firm earned a Programming and Messaging innovation for its new campaign to distribute waterproof spoke cards with relevant bike laws on one side and a “Don’t Door Me!” graphic on the other. Additionally, Anderton served as a personal injury attorney representing six cyclists injured on the South Lake Union street car tracks. Although the suit was thrown out, the effort to improve the safety of streetcar infrastructure was worthy of an Infrastructure innovation credit.

Washington Bike Law’s website states, “Our commitment to these types of cases does more than compensate individual injured bicyclists; it helps make our roadways safer for everyone,” and it is that philosophy that makes the firm a business leader for bicycling. Congratulations to Washington Bike Law and Bob Anderton on Silver Level certification. Keep up the good work!

The BizCycle certification system rates workplaces on a 50-point scale, with award levels at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Certified businesses are featured on our website. The deadline for our first round of applications is March 15, 2013. Our first round of BizCycle awardees will be honored at our annual Bike to Work Breakfast, and the top ten certified businesses will receive special recognition in the Puget Sound Business Journal. 

Contact bizcycle@cascadebicycleclub.org for more information.