Toronto bike-friendly businesses recognized with awards

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto honoured four businesses and a downtown hospital this evening with the 2014 Bicycle Friendly Business Awards. Steam Whistle Brewing was honoured as the best overall business supporter of cycling.

The award presentations took place as part of the Toronto Bike Awards ceremony, which is held each year to thank people and organizations for their leadership in encouraging cycling at the workplace and among customers/clients.

"These companies have illustrated their commitment and dedication to supporting cycling throughout the City of Toronto," said Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong (Ward 34 Don Valley East), Chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee. "By promoting cycling as an alternative method of transportation, companies can achieve significant benefits, including attracting skilled employees, reducing employee sick days and supporting the growth of local retail businesses."

Businesses are selected on the basis of criteria such as secure/monitored bicycle parking facilities, the proportion of employees who cycle, corporate use of bicycle services, and creative approaches to promotion of cycling by employees and customers. Through their support of cycling, these businesses are helping to promote the bicycle as a sustainable form of transportation.

In addition to naming Steam Whistle Brewing best overall, the City presented Bicycle Friendly Business Awards to the following four organizations:

• bikeSauce
• Featherstone Two Wheels Green Delivery
• St. Michael's Hospital
• Timbuk2 Toronto Designs

More information about the award recipients will be made available after tonight's event, at http://www.toronto.ca/cycling.

Organizers of the Bicycle Friendly Business Awards extend their appreciation to event partners Cycle Toronto, MMM Group and Bike Share Toronto.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

SOURCE: City of Toronto

For further information: Media contact: Steve Johnston, Strategic Communications, 416-392-4391, [e-mail]