The League of American Bicyclists recognized R&M Consultants, Inc. (R&M) with a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) award. The firm is one of seven BFBs in Alaska and one of two Silver-level businesses.
With this designation, R&M joins a group of 1,118 current BFBs, made up of local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies in all 50 states and Washington, DC, that are transforming the American workplace.
R&M has been a BFB since 2012, previously at the Bronze level. The firm originally decided to become a BFB because of their commitment to their community and employees. Participating in this program helps promote community involvement with participation in local Bike-to-Work days, a fun work environment and employee wellness. R&M encourages bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities such as convenient and secure bike parking, locker rooms and shower facilities, and bicycle education materials and classes.
In recent years, R&M has focused on helping improve bicycle infrastructure in Alaska through the projects they choose to pursue. As more and more people recognize the benefits of non-motorized transportation modes (bicyclists, pedestrians, public transit), the demand for related infrastructure in the state has grown, particularly in Anchorage. R&M, true to its vision “Innovating Today for Alaska’s Tomorrow,” recognized this growing need. They have made equal access a priority on all their transportation projects and actively pursue projects that plan for and improve non-motorized facilities.
“Having grown up in Europe instilled in me the belief there are reasonable transportation alternatives to cars. While I had the luxury of selecting a home that allows me to ride my bike to work, some people don’t have as many choices or their commute lacks the facilities necessary for a comfortable commute by bike or on foot. While a drastic mode shift is a lengthy endeavor that includes policy, planning, engineering, incentives and attitude, I’m committed to promoting complete streets on every project I’m involved in.”
Marc Frutiger, PE, PTOE – R&M Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager
R&M’s non-motorized facility project work includes the 27th Avenue Pedestrian Safety Improvements; Midtown Corridor Improvements and Complete Streets – Denali Street Area; and Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation System (AMATS) Non-Motorized Plan Update, Big Lake Pedestrian Safety Improvements and Context Sensitive Solutions Policy Update. This work has helped the firm build relationships with others in the community that support non-motorized transportation modes and provides an avenue to affect change through related infrastructure planning and design.
“Beyond working on projects for our clients, we volunteer in our community, lending our planning, engineering and design solutions expertise to transportation committees and groups. I’m proud of R&M’s encouragement and commitment to supporting community involvement.”
Van Le, AICP – R&M Planning Group Manager
Moving forward, R&M will have access to a variety of tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly and plans to continue working towards complete streets in Alaska for a healthier and more environmentally friendly community.
“My brothers and I were free range kids growing up, riding our bikes around the neighborhood to play with friends. I want that for my son, to be able to walk or bike to the school playground, park or to see his friends in our neighborhood. One project at a time, we’ve been able to improve quality of life for individuals, families and kids through building facilities that provide this opportunity.”
Van Le, AICP – R&M Planning Group Manager
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, including the Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA.
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