BikeDenver’s having a banner year thanks to greatBIGcolor, Inc. who prints high quality, large format graphics. You’ve most likely seen their banners and signs around the city. Tina McLaughlin, the current owner and CEO, bought the 14 year old company in full about a year and a half ago. Now, greatBIGcolor is a WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise National Council) certified business and is also striving to maintain their status as the greenest in the industry. Just a couple of their environmentally friendly initiatives include choosing sustainable products rather than vinyl and replacing petroleum based products.

Now I’m sure many of you probably heard of, if not participated in, the bike event Viva Streets. Well all those great banners and outdoor signage stands were donated, free of charge, by greatBIGcolor. Not only did they play a huge role in our biking community through their donations, but most of their employees also bike to work. Tina, a huge cyclist herself, said greatBIGcolor will “do whatever we can to promote bike-friendly practices in Denver.”

BikeDenver would love to thank greatBIGcolor for their “great big” contribution to Viva Streets and biking as a whole in our community.

[Submitted by Courtney Burkett]

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BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awardshelp highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with more than 125 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.

BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because more bicycling has great benefits for you, and for Denver! www.bikedenver.org

Clif Bar & Company started o n a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks.www.clifbar.com

Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized 25 work places for their bicycle friendly practices.

November 2011 – Kentwood City Properties

October 2011 – Gates Corporation

September 2011 – Wash Perk

August 2011 – TIAA CREF

July 2011 – Pedal Hopper

June 2011 – Illegal Pete’s

May 2011 – Primal Wear

April 2011 – eGo CarShare

March 2011 – Tony’s Market

February 2011 – Snooze a.m. eatery

January 2011 – The Bike Depot

December 2010 – Grand Hyatt Denver

November 2010 – Holland & Hart

October 2010 – Solera Green Living

September 2010 – REI Denver Flagship Store

August 2010 – Quiznos

July 2010 – MIGHTYkarma

June 2010 – Sweet Action Ice Cream

May 2010 – Denver Regional Council of Governments

April 2010 – Denver Water

March 2010 – Little Man Ice Cream

February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop

January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado

December 2009 – Denver Pavilions

November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority

October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle

September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID

August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek

July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant

*****

More about BikeDenver:

See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless”“Why I Ride”

You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!

Want to hear our zippy new radio PSAs? Click to hear them here.

WEATHER UPDATE:  The Solstice Ride event will be held as scheduled .  Test out your snow tires and ride or just kick back with us at Wahoos to celebrate another great year of bicycling in Denver and the shortest day of the year!

Ride from Wahoo’s to Wahoo’s on December 22nd and enjoy Denver’s best holiday lights, then join us for a post-ride social at, you guessed it, Wahoo’s!  The ride is a benefit for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and their Adopt-a-Home program.  Special bonus feature: get to ride the new striped Ambassador Street (14th) bike lanes! Extra Special Bonus feature: Courtesy of the fine folks at Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and their partner, Pacifico, ride participants will be treated to a hot chocolate stop at the Wahoo’s LoDo location on Blake Street, and enjoy a free Pacifico beer at the ride endpoint at the 20th Ave. Wahoo’s.  Wahoo’s will also extend happy hour pricing

It’s time to celebrate the season again! At BikeDenver, we know that every season is a great season to ride a bike in Denver.  That’s why we host a community bike ride at every changing of the seasons.  The Winter Solstice Ride has been one of our most popular rides since we opened it to the public three years ago.   So plan for whatever mother nature has in store, and make plans to join fellow Denver bicyclists to celebrate the season and enjoy Denver’s holiday lights – on city buildings…  and our bikes!  Our rides are casual, and safe – we obey all traffic laws! Ride release waiver and bike lights are required. Helmet highly recommended.

When & Where: Thursday, December 22st, 6:00 to 6:45pm bike ride departing from the Wahoo’s Fish Tacos at 225 E. 20th Ave. The self-guided ride will start in a few waves, as riders congregate. We will provide a general route map to all, but riders can choose their own course through Denver to get to our ride checkpoints at Union Station, Wahoo’s LoDo, the City and County Building and the State Capital.  Riders meet up again for  a social right back at the Wahoo’s on 20th Avenue!  Wahoo’s will be providing happy hour pricing on margaritas and select beverages for riders at both locations.

How: On your bike, with all the lights and bells you own on you and your bike! If you need  more information please email info@bikedenver.org.

What to Bring: Participants are asked to help “Adopt-a-Home” by bringing a kitchen or bathroom item to help give a warm holiday welcome by helping to furnish new homes for those who have been living on the streets and in shelters. Examples include: Silverware, plates, cups, bowls, pots, pans, can opener, cooking utensils, toaster, microwave, coffee maker, coffee mugs, tupperware, trash can, sponges (Kitchen), bathmat, toilet mat, hand towel, washcloth, shower curtain, soap dish, toothbrush holder, towels (Bathroom).  Learn more about the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Adopt-a-Home program and wish list here.

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BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization.  BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to  make Denver a better place to ride your bike.  Why?  Because it’s healthy for you, and healthy for Denver.  www.bikedenver.org

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless has been helping the homeless for 25 years.  The Coalition works collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being and stability of those it serves. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.ColoradoCoalition.org.

Wahoo’s Fish Tacos was founded in 1988, when the three Wahoo’s brothers, Wing, Ed and Mingo, combined their love of surf and food to create a restaurant with an eclectic Mexican/Brazilian/Asian menu and a Hawaiian north-shore vibe.  Wahoo’s has three stores in Denver including two downtown, and this ride will introduce you to both!

This is going to be SO MUCH FUN!  After two strong years based at Invesco field, those crafty gurus at Coldwell Banker and Creative Strategies Group are making a hip move by taking the Denver Century Ride to Stapleton Central Park.  Oh boy, are we going to enjoy relaxing on the well-tended grass at the Stapleton start/finish!  That’s not all – the 2012 DCR will feature 5 totally new courses, from one to 100 miles.  This will truly be the ride with something for everyone! Check out the 2012 Denver Century Ride Video!

Coldwell Banker will present the Denver Century Ride for the 3rd consecutive year, and Rickenbaugh Cadillac Volvo is back for a 2nd go-around, joined by new sponsor Stapleton.  Media partners 9news and The Mountain are also along for the ride.

Check out all the details at www.denvercenturyride.com and get a hot tip: you’ll receive 25% off your registration if you register before December 31st.

Having been working at Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop down on Platte St. for two and a half years and been biking since childhood, Nick Soloninka sure knows the ins and outs of road and mountain biking and even BMX biking. After being inspired by “jumping off curbs as a kid” and thinking the “ guys on TV looked cool,” Nick has been in love with mountain bike free riding.

Aside from helping the environment by biking to work, his love of mountain and BMX biking also paid off when it came to the Trestle Bike Skills Park at Barnum Park North here in Denver. This park would offer awesome areas solely dedicated to free ride mountain biking and BMX biking. Nick volunteered by helping set up regular maintenance so the park would run smoothly and safely. With the help of many other volunteers, the Trestle Bike Park crew was able to open its gates this year in early August.

BikeDenver wants to thank Nick for all his help in our biking community. And remember to go check out Salagetti Bicycle Workshop and Trestle Bike Park!

[Photos Credits: www.plussizeBMX.com] [Submitted by Courtney Burkett]

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Bike Hero of the Month Awards highlight different people each month, and help encourage other people to bike by telling the Hero’s personal story. The goal of the Bike Hero Awards Program is to showcase the diversity of citizen-cyclists and the people who support them in Denver.

BikeDenver’s Executive Director Piep van Heuven says: “We introduced the Bike Hero awards because we want to encourage a friendly environment for and public image of bicyclists in Denver. One of the ways we can do this is to showcase the different faces of and great stories about people in our community, like Andy, who ride bikes or help others get out there and ride. Through the Bike Hero awards, BikeDenver honors bicyclists of all ages and walks of life, from the first time bicyclist to the rain or shine bicyclist!  We all know people (our neighbors, co-workers, family members or community leaders) who inspire us to reach for the handlebars instead of the car keys. Take a moment to look around you and help BikeDenver recognize the people in our community who are making a difference for Denver, one ride at a time!”

Located across from Union Station on 17th and Wynkoop, Kentwood City Properties is not only leading the Downtown Denver real estate scene, but it has also rolled into place as an awesome bike friendly business. Therefore it seems only appropriate that their sleek and inviting office would mirror their innovative way of showing properties – on bike.

After sponsoring B-cycle, the folks there thanked Kentwood with memberships for the whole office. This spurred the idea for offering bike tours of properties where you can either use your own bike or borrow one from B-cycle. It’s a successful program and has resulted in seven group tours this year alone. John Hayden, real estate broker with Kentwood City Properties for seven years, said it’s a “great way to see neighborhoods” because you’re no longer “separated by a car.” If you want to sign up for a tour, check out www.KentwoodCityBikeTours.com and become a part of the community as you tour it.

BikeDenver would love to thank Kentwood City Properties for their awesome idea that shows how great a city Denver is and promotes biking at the same time.

[Submitted by Courtney Burkett]

*****

BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awardshelp highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with more than 125 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.

BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because more bicycling has great benefits for you, and for Denver! www.bikedenver.org

Clif Bar & Company started o n a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks.www.clifbar.com

Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized 25 work places for their bicycle friendly practices.

October 2011 – Gates Corporation

September 2011 – Wash Perk

August 2011 – TIAA CREF

July 2011 – Pedal Hopper

June 2011 – Illegal Pete’s

May 2011 – Primal Wear

April 2011 – eGo CarShare

March 2011 – Tony’s Market

February 2011 – Snooze a.m. eatery

January 2011 – The Bike Depot

December 2010 – Grand Hyatt Denver

November 2010 – Holland & Hart

October 2010 – Solera Green Living

September 2010 – REI Denver Flagship Store

August 2010 – Quiznos

July 2010 – MIGHTYkarma

June 2010 – Sweet Action Ice Cream

May 2010 – Denver Regional Council of Governments

April 2010 – Denver Water

March 2010 – Little Man Ice Cream

February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop

January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado

December 2009 – Denver Pavilions

November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority

October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle

September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID

August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek

July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant

*****

More about BikeDenver:

See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless”“Why I Ride”

You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!

Want to hear our zippy new radio PSAs? Click to hear them here.

BikeDenver is pleased to announce that Gates Corporation was recently selected for honors as a Bike-Friendly Business of the Month!  Located at 1551 Wewatta Street, Gates Corporation has just celebrated its 100th anniversary. A leader in the world market of producing automotive and industrial products, they also lent a hand to the biking community by creating the Gates Carbon Drive Belt. This belt can replace the old, troublesome bike chains. Director of Carbon Drive Systems, Todd Sellden, says “you see such a beautiful piece of equipment but you have this greasy chain.” Not anymore… this new belt has three awesome qualities: 1) no grease, 2) easy to maintain, and 3) it’s light weight.

Gates Corporation promotes biking among its employees, too. Employees get the RTD Eco Pass for lightrail and buses to ease their commute. Gates also offers employees loaner Carbon Drive™ equipped bikes available for exercise and errands anytime throughout the day. Gates is right off the bike path, so many employees commute via bike and have parking options in the building.  Gates is also a sponsor B-cycle,  provides a discounted memberships to interested employees, and they sponsor a breakfast station on Colorado’s Bike to Work Day.

BikeDenver Executive Director Piep van Heuven says: “It’s great to see our communities benefit from advances in bicycling technology, and great to see another Denver corporate leader step up to make their work environment “bike-friendly”.  Thanks, and congratulations to Gates Corporation!

[Submitted by Courtney Burkett]

*****

BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Awards help highlight organizations that are making standout contributions and offering great success stories from among BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) Program members. The BFB program, with more than 125 honorees to date, recognizes businesses, organizations and workplaces that are leading the way to make bicycling an easy and accepted form of transportation in Denver. Nominate a workplace as a Bicycle-Friendly Business here.

Wash Perk is a community friendly coffee house that opened in April of 2008. Along with caring for their customers, Wash Perk cares about the environment, as seen in their many green business initiatives. washperk.com/about

BikeDenver is Denver’s bicycle advocacy organization. BikeDenver promotes and encourages bicycling in Denver and works to make Denver a better place to ride your bike. Why? Because more bicycling has great benefits for you, and for Denver! www.bikedenver.org

Clif Bar & Company started o n a bike ride. Founder Gary took a bite of another energy bar and thought he could make a better bar. Today, Clif Bar is a leading maker of all-natural and organic energy and nutrition foods and drinks.www.clifbar.com

Bicycle Friendly Business of the Month Awards: Since partnering in July of 2009 to launch the monthly awards program, Clif Bar and BikeDenver have recognized 25 work places for their bicycle friendly practices.

September 2011 – Wash Perk

August 2011 – TIAA CREF

July 2011 – Pedal Hopper

June 2011 – Illegal Pete’s

May 2011 – Primal Wear

April 2011 – eGo CarShare

March 2011 – Tony’s Market

February 2011 – Snooze a.m. eatery

January 2011 – The Bike Depot

December 2010 – Grand Hyatt Denver

November 2010 – Holland & Hart

October 2010 – Solera Green Living

September 2010 – REI Denver Flagship Store

August 2010 – Quiznos

July 2010 – MIGHTYkarma

June 2010 – Sweet Action Ice Cream

May 2010 – Denver Regional Council of Governments

April 2010 – Denver Water

March 2010 – Little Man Ice Cream

February 2010 – Salvagetti Bicycle Workshop

January 2010 – The Alliance for a Sustainable Colorado

December 2009 – Denver Pavilions

November 2009 – Human Powered Transit Authority

October 2009 – Jones Lang LaSalle

September 2009 – Downtown Denver Partnership & BID

August 2009 – Historic Denver’s Story Trek

July 2009 (Inaugural) – Watercourse Restaurant

*****

More about BikeDenver:

See BikeDenver’s PSA’s and learn about the great reasons to ride in Denver: “Priceless”“Why I Ride”

You can help make a better place to ride a bike by becoming a BikeDenver member: Join BikeDenver!

Want to hear our zippy new radio PSAs? Click to hear them here.