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Simsbury Public Library Awarded Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business Designation from the League of American Bicyclists

Posted on: May 23, 2022 - 4:33pm
May 21 Ribbon Cutting

The Simsbury Public Library has been awarded a Silver Level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) designation from the League of American Bicyclists, which recognizes an organization’s contributions in accelerating the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.  This award highlights the Library’s ongoing commitment to be more welcoming to both patrons and employees who bike.

“The Library is honored to be the first library in Connecticut to be recognized with the Bike Friendly Business distinction,” said Library Director Lisa Karim.  “We’ve worked strategically for many years to support bicycling for all ages in our community.  We’re grateful for the collaborative relationship we’ve created and maintained with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.  This award would not have been possible without their support.” 

Over the past nine years, in partnership with the Simsbury Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Simsbury Public Library has worked to encourage cycling and make this healthy, sustainable form of transportation safer for those in our community through programming and bicycling incentive initiatives. The Library encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as 64-hour a week access to water bottle refilling stations, outdoor solar charging stations, multiple bike racks and a bicycle repair station, as well as bicycle repair tools which may be borrowed through the Library’s Library of Things.

“Library Director Lisa Karim and the entire staff do an amazing job keeping our library ahead of the curve both on the trails and technologically,” said First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis. “Earning the Silver Bicycle Friendly Business designation gels nicely with the roll out of our new book bike, which allows the library to provide outreach activities throughout the community.”

As part of the BFB network, the Simsbury Public Library will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more welcoming to people who bike. To learn more about the BFB program, or to apply, visit the League online at bikeleague.org/business. To learn more about Bike Month, visit bikeleague.org/bikemonth.

Picture above from left to right: Selectman Sean Askham, Town Manager Maria Capriola, Selectman Eric Wellman, Selectman Heather Goetz, and First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis at the ribbon cutting for the new book bike, Saturday, May 21, 2022.