going for gold how a milledgeville it company became georgia’s 1 st gold-level bicycle friendly...
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Going for GoldHow a Milledgeville IT company became
Georgia’s 1st Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business
Tom Glover
Cogentes Founder
President Bicycling Club of Milledgeville
2016 Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce Chair
Who is Cogentes?• Georgia-based IT support and services firm
founded in 2007 and headquartered in Milledgeville
• Serve customers throughout Georgia and worldwide
• Provide comprehensive technology services • Network design and support• Server and desktop sales and support• Strategic technology guidance• E-Marketing Services
What started as a way to lose weight…
Quickly turned into a passion
Team Cogentes
Supporting cycling through sponsorships
New office location
Office Facilities• Dedicated indoor bike parking• Showers• Close proximity to local routes and trails
Policy Changes• Guaranteed Ride Home program• Bicycle safety education materials made available• Bicycle route information made available
Fall 2013 Designation by League of American Cyclists
2013 League Feedback• Encouragement
• Office Bicycle Commuter Tax Benefit• Provide incentives to bike• Create bike club
• Engineering• Make bike parking Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP)
compliant• Install lockers for employees• Install a bicycle repair station or work stand
• Education• Certify an LCI (League Cycling Instructor) on staff• Distribute information on cycling events, routes and safety
• Evaluation• Appoint a bike coordinator• Conduct annual cycling survey• Collect data on employee cycling
Bike with the boss program
Paid entry to organized rides
Cogentes bike challenge awards
Encouragement for the entire family
Celebrating 100% participation in National Bike Challenge
Spring 2015Georgia’s FIRST Gold Bicycle
Friendly Business!!!!
Why make the effort?
2015 League Feedback• Provide cash incentives for all bicycle commuters• Support national bicycle advocacy efforts• Provide free lockers for cyclists to store personal
belongings during workday• Have one employee certified as League Cycling Instructor• Gather more data on bicycle use at your business, year-
round• Set measurable goals to improve ridership and other key
bicycling metrics
What’s next?
Two New League Cycling Instructors certified Spring 2015
Smart Cycling 101 for all employees December 2015
Partnering with Bicycling Club of Milledgeville to offer Smart Cycling 101 for club members
and community in 2016
Work with other businesses in the community to help them attain Bicycle Friendly Business
designations
2017… Georgia’s First Platinum BFB!