Santa Monica-based Phelps has been recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) by the League of American Bicyclists. It received a silver designation for instituting company policies and a culture that supports increased bike ridership by its employees.
Phelps is an integrated marketing communications agency with a staff of about 100.
Part of Phelps’ mission is to create a healthy working environment for its associates, and to encourage bicycling as an alternative option for transportation.
Phelps provides amenities such as an on-site shower, towels, secure bike parking, healthy meals and snacks, and financial incentives to associates who commute by bicycle.
Wesley High, an IT specialist, bikes 15 miles to work most days.
“At Phelps, biking has become an essential force in our culture,” High said. “Not only do we feel better about helping the environment and being healthier, but biking has organically created camaraderie within our agency and is a whole lot of fun. We even have our own biking crew called ChewBika, with t-shirts and weekly lunch rides.”
Phelps will have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly. Presently there are five other Santa Monica BFBs and none in Los Angeles. “We would love to encourage other companies to promote cycling to their employees and become BFBs,” High added.
With the announcement of 150 new and renewing BFBs in 39 states and Washington, D.C., Phelps joins more than 800 small businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies across the United States that are transforming the American workplace by promoting commuting by bicycle.
To learn more about the free BFB program, visit the League online at www.bikeleague.org/content/businesses.
