The Bike Business Forum brings the business voice to bicycle planning

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Representatives from Starbucks and SDOT review the draft bicycle network for the SODO area.

On Tuesday, Cascade convened its final Bike Business Forum of 2012. With representatives from Starbucks, PATH, Puget Sound Bike Share, Lease Crutcher Lewis, LMN Architects, Washington Bike Law, Novo Nordisk, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children’s, University of Washington and others in attendance, it was apparent that businesses of all types and sizes are recognizing that bicycling makes business sense.

This gathering of the biannual forum was held at PATH, an international non-profit focused on global health.  Doug Palm, PATH’s Director of Global Facilities, welcomed attendees from 17 organizations.

Stephanie Frans, Cascade’s Manager of Commute Program, presented updates on BizCycle, Cascade’s bike-friendly business initiative,and announced that Washington Bike Law has been awarded a silver level BizCycle award.

Evan Manvel, Cascade’s  Director of Policy, Planning and Government Affairs, next took the floor and proclaimed his vision for Seattle to “leave Portland in the dust” and become America’s best city for bicycling.

Sarah Zora and Kevin O’Neill from the Seattle Department of Transportation then presented the draft update to the Seattle Bicycle Master Plan. Blanketing the lunch tables in huge maps, forum attendees poured over the proposed network, identified additional improvements, considered how their business needs will be served and discussed potentially challenging corridors or projects.

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Stephanie Frans presents New Year's Resolutions for businesses to speak up, engage internally, collaborate externally and pursue excellence when it comes to bicycling.

General consensus among forum attendees was that Manvel’s vision is within reach, but will require strong leadership from SDOT, elected leaders, and the business community. Fortunately, the business case for bicycling is compelling, as is the case for mobilizing the business community in support of bicycling. In fact, Cascade awards BizCycle credits for participation in activities such as the Bike Business Forum and local planning processes such as the Seattle Bike Master Plan Update.

We are encouraged by and grateful for the support of area business leaders who are committed to supporting cycling within their own organization and around our region. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the coming year!