Cogentes, a Milledgeville-based IT firm, was just named Georgia’s first Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business. This is a huge accomplishment for Cogentes!

 Our sincere congratulations as well to the Columbus Georgia Civic Center and Atlanta Trek in Peachtree City, both of whom were awarded Silver-level BFB status. Great job! These designations are a welcome sign that Georgia’s business community understands the importance of making bicycling easy, safe, and accessible for all Georgians. The official press release about Cogentes’ award from the League of American Bicyclists is below.   Washington, D.C. — April 22, 2015 — Today, the League of American Bicyclists has awarded 161 new and renewing Bicycle Friendly Businesses in 31 states and Washington, D.C. With this Earth Day announcement, the program has grown to include more than 950 visionary local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies from across the country that are changing the script on what it means to provide a top-notch experience and atmosphere for employees and customers alike.  “On this Earth Day, the League recognizes and applauds the efforts of these business leaders across the country,” said Andy Clarke, President of the League of American Bicyclists. “Their leadership is setting a precedent in their communities, states and the nation for what it means to practice what you preach.  

They are forging a better future for us all by investing in a more sustainable future for the country and a healthier future for their employees.”    Bicycle Friendly Businesses encourage a more bicycle-friendly atmosphere for employees and customers. BFBs attract and retain energized, alert and productive employees, while decreasing healthcare costs. This round, Cogentes, located in the Bicycle Friendly Community of Milledgeville GA, became the first business in the state to receive a Gold Bicycle Friendly Business designation. “Cogentes is both honored and thrilled to be named a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly Business,” said President and CEO Tom Glover.  “Over the past two years since receiving our Bronze level designation from the league, we have focused on instilling a culture of cycling as both a viable means of transportation and a fun, family activity.  Every member of our team participated in the 2014 National Bike Challenge as did many of their family members.  Through creative programs such as our monthly Bike with the Boss, Cycle for Vacation Time and year-end giveaways, many of our employees have been become avid cyclists.  

Furthermore, these employees have encouraged their entire families to start cycling and build a lifelong love of the sport.”   As the state’s only Gold designated Bicycle Friendly Business, Cogentes is looking forward to being an ambassador for this program to help promote more bicycle friendly businesses throughout the region.  With the 2015 Georgia Bike Summit being held in Milledgeville this year, Cogentes plans to play an integral part in the programs and encourage other businesses to follow their lead in making cycling core to their culture.  To apply or learn more about the BFB program, visit the League online.  

 ***   About the Bicycle Friendly America Program:  The Bicycle Friendly America  program provides incentives, hands-on assistance and award recognition for  communities, universities and businesses that actively support bicycling, and ranks  states annually based on their level of bike-friendliness. These programs are  generously supported by Trek Bicycle.    About the League: The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to  create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to  listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse  communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change. For more information  or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.

Excellent news from the General Assembly! Via the press release below from our friends at the Coastal Georgia Greenway, we’ve learned that Senate Resolution 26 has passed both chambers of the state legislature:Last week S.R. 26 by Ron Stephens (R) Savannah, passed the Georgia State House of Representatives. The resolution, sponsored initially by Senator William Ligon (R) in the Senate calls for a Joint House/Senate Coastal Greenway Study Committee.  Recognizing that the proposed 155-mile multi-purpose trail linking South Carolina to Florida through Georgia’s six coastal counties, is already 24% complete and that when fully built, the paved trail will 

connect six counties, ten cities, over 118,500 acres in wildlife preserves, local, state and national parks and historic sites and 12 historic districts this greenway trail has the making of a project that can have a signature impact on a regional scale.  By linking historic towns, beaches, harbors and rivers the Coastal Georgia Greenway can define Georgia’s coast for the next generation.   “I am ready to meet with Co-Chairs as appointed by Governor Deal and to begin work on the feasibility study, maybe as early as May,” says Jo Claire Hickson, Executive Director of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, Inc., which has worked closely with coastal communities to fund the trail.

The new Legislative Study Committee will undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems related to trail construction and to recommend any action or legislation, which the committee deems necessary or appropriate to be presented for action by the Georgia Legislature in 2016. The resolution cites background issues concerning the proposed 155-mile greenway multi-purpose trail recognizing that bicycling, walking, hiking, and jogging are healthful exercises as well as wholesome forms of outdoor recreation suitable for families of all ages; and that by providing alternative means of transportation, the Coastal Georgia Greenway will help alleviate automobile traffic and air pollution and provide another choice for commuting to work or play for all ages and income groups in our state; and that facilities for such activities can also be designed for use by handicapped individuals who would not otherwise be able to travel on roads and highways.  

The resolution further states that it has been proposed to create a separate paved trail on city and county owned rights of way and  on U.S. and state owned rights of way such as  U.S. 17 and Georgia Highway 99 from Savannah to St. Marys to be known as the Coastal Georgia Greenway; and that such trail would lie wholly within the Gullah Geechee National Heritage Corridor and the entire Altamaha Scenic Byway, most of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail and most of Georgia Bike Route 95, and part of Georgia Bike Routes 10, 35, and 40.  The Coastal Georgia Greenway trail will also be a part of the proposed East Coast Greenway from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida. “Completion of the Coastal Georgia Greenway will be good for all Georgians,” says Jo Claire Hickson.  “I am thankful that the Georgia Legislature recognizes that building the Coastal Georgia Greenway is a state priority!”  We couldn’t agree more and are thrilled to see this meaningful progress on a fantastic tourism, recreation, and transportation project on Georgia’s coast. We also thank 1000+ Georgians who turned out for the 10th anniversary Ride to the Capitol to show state lawmakers that projects like this are important to the citizens of the state!