Pick up a date (no pun intended) at our November Bike-Friendly Business, Whole Foods Market Capitol Hill!

Where is the best spot to pick up a date in Denver? Probably Whole Foods Market Capitol Hill (and no, we are not talking about the date that you eat). Specifically, the bike racks outside the store make a wonderful location for meeting the girl of your dreams, as evidenced by this Craigslist missed connection from a few years ago: “Saw you at the bike rack at the Capitol Hill Whole Foods Market and couldn’t imagine riding away without you.” Yes, WFMCH is that bike friendly, but we had no idea it attracted misty-eyed lovers on bicycles. What attracted us to name this establishment November Bike-Friendly Business was the new bike tune station outside the store. With a little investigation, we found that this Whole Foods’ bike-friendliness goes beyond the tune station.

Back in 1962, what is now WFMCH was a Safeway. The building has seen many inhabitants, including a bingo parlor, but in 2007 it became Whole Foods. According to Megan O’Connor, the store’s marketing and community relations manager, this store has “always been a bicycle destination.” With six times the required bike racks for a business of their size plus extra racks for Team Member bike parking, it’s obvious that WFMCH caters to the bicyclist. They have partnered with B-Cycle for three years, and they installed a station outside the store last spring. This spring, they installed the Dero Fixit bike-tune station. A Boulder company introduced it to them and Megan knew it fit perfectly at WFMCH. The store also celebrates their eco-minded employees: twice a year they hold a program called Green Trek, in which Team Members can log their eco-friendly transportation miles, community service, and healthy food consumption to earn raffle tickets for prizes.

If you haven’t already guessed, WFMCH loves participating in the community, and not just the bike community. They reach out to the Denver Art Museum, the American Diabetes Association, B-Cycle, Occasional Car, the GLBT Center of Denver, the Gathering Place, and much more. They also get involved in local events…did you see their bicycle-powered blender at the Capitol Hill People’s Fair?

Feelin’ the love yet? Through the end of the year, you can support Denver families by purchasing a $5 or $10 meal in-store, or help them collect food to donate to needy families at Morey Middle School in Capitol Hill. Also, stop in on December 13^th, 20^th, or 28^th (all Thursdays) from 6 PM – 8 PM to sample holiday food. Don’t make the excuse that you’re staying away from extra snacking at this time of year…with all the bicycle-friendly amenities at Whole Foods, it is easy to bike there and poof – all the extra calories will disappear. No bike? Use a B-Cycle. Flat tire? Fix it at the tune station. Really, there is no excuse not to be at this great hub of bicycle-lovin’ in central Denver! Thanks Whole Foods Market Capitol Hill for being an exemplary bike-friendly business!

– – – -

BikeDenver’s Bicycle-Friendly Business (BFB) of the Month Award highlights 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 140 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 on 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 over 35 work places for their bicycle friendly practices.

October 2012 – The Nichols Partnership

September 2012 – Downtown Denver YMCA

August 2012 – Bicycle Village

July 2012 – Jimmy John’s

May 2012 – Trips For Kids

April 2012 – Cactus Advertising

March 2012 – Denver Bike Cafe

February 2012 – Cake Crumbs Bakery

January 2012 – Hi*Rise Bakery

December 2011 – greatBIGcolor, Inc.

November 2011 – Kentwood City Properties

October 2011 – Gates Corporation