Eco3 is taking the next step in leading our community toward a more bike-friendly community, by example. We’re happy to share that the League of American Bicyclists recently awarded us Silver designation as a Bike-Friendly Business, placing us alongside more than 1,200 businesses across the country contributing to the movement to build a more bicycle-friendly America for everyone!
This designation comes as part of Eco3’s effort to create a more bike-friendly space for our staff and visitors. We’re doing this in a few ways.
For one, we received four new e-bikes through BikeMN, as part of its E-bike Commuter Assistance Program (ECAP). This pilot program distributed 36 e-bikes to Duluth organizations to encourage employees to consider cycling during their commute to work. Bikes are available for staff until October, and they join our cargo e-bike that we previously purchased.
The bikes have been a huge hit at Eco3. After just one month of use, our staff have already logged over 300 miles by bike, and we look forward to many more this summer! A big thank you to BikeMN and the Duluth Folk School for facilitating this program.
We’re also looking at how we can create a more welcoming space for cyclists in our office, staff and visitors alike. As part of the construction of our new (nearly completed) entrance, we will offer designated interior bike storage for anyone entering the building.
Cycling is a great alternative to standard vehicle travel, especially in a neighborhood with low car ownership rates. E-bikes in particular offer a more accessible option for people who may not feel comfortable on a standard pedal bicycle. They also help extend trip length and make our Duluth hills much easier to climb.
To learn more about cycling in the Duluth community, check out the transportation actions within the Duluth Citizens’ Climate Action Plan.