DEEP Receives Bicycle Friendly Business Award

The Hartford headquarters of Connecticut's Department of Energy & Environmental Protection recently earned a Bike Friendly Business Award from the League of American Bicyclists. The award is for businesses or workplaces that promote a bicycle-friendly culture. DEEP won a bronze-level award based on its facilities and programs. Bicycle-friendly building improvements include bicycle racks in the on-site parking garage and onsite showers. The agency holds bike safety and bike repair classes and promotes cycling events, such as the Capitol Bike to Work Day and the Discover Hartford Bicycling Tour. DEEP joins almost 500 award winners nationwide, including local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.

DEEP's Green Team applied for the award to inspire other agencies and businesses to become more bicycle friendly. It's part of the Green Team's outreach program to mentor other organizations to go green and start green teams of their own. To get started with a green team, contact the DEEP Green Team co-chairs Connie Mendolia, 860-424-3243 or Mary Sherwin, 860-424-3246. To get started bicycling, visit the Connecticut advocacy group Bike Walk CT.