League of American Bicyclists - BFA Application FAQs

Yes, you must create an online account in order to work in the online application portal, and the system allows users to save and log in/out to return to their work at any time. (Note applications should also auto-save after roughly 10 minutes of inactivity while a user is logged in.)

Q: Can more than one person work on an online application?

The system does allow collaborators to work on the same application separately, but not simultaneously. The system will automatically lock an application that is being edited by one user so that other users see a 'view only' version and do not risk overwriting each other's work. Please see the 'Collaborators' section below for more information about allowing multiple users to view and edit an application.

Q: What happens to my application if I don't submit it before the submission deadline?

Any answers or data entered into an online application that is still incomplete/in progress/in cart when the submission deadline passes will be saved and transferred over to the next application round.

Every user with an incomplete application will receive automated reminder emails leading up to each submission deadline and will also be notified after the deadline passes, when the next round opens.

If we make any updates to the application questions between submission rounds, we will include details about those changes in the email to applicants whose incomplete submissions carried over to the new round.

Q: How do I delete an application I no longer intend to submit?

To delete an application, log in and navigate to your list of incomplete applications. Select "Remove" next to the application you'd like to delete. If you are having trouble logging in or removing your application, please email bfa@bikeleague.org and we can remove it for you.

Q: Can I transfer an application from one user account to another?

Yes, the primary owner of an application can transfer primary ownership of the application to any collaborator on the application. When logged in to the application, click "Manage Collaborators" -- from the list of collaborators, click "Make Primary" next to the username who you'd like to transfer the application to. (Learn more about Collaborators here.)

If the primary owner of an application no longer works for your organization or if you are unable to log in as the primary owner, please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance, and we can transfer the application or update a username for you.

Q: Can I export a PDF of the application I'm working on, or that I already submitted?

Yes, to export a PDF of an application that is currently in progress, please log in and navigate to your list of incomplete applications. Click "Print" next to your application, and the system will open a PDF of your application that you can save or print.

To export a PDF of an application that has already been submitted, log in and navigate to your list of complete applications. Click "Print" next to your application, and the system will open a PDF of your application that you can save or print.

Q: Can I make an edit or correction to an application I already submitted?

Yes, but only before the submission deadline. To edit a previously-completed submission, log in and navigate to your list of complete applications. Click "edit" next to your application to make changes.

After the submission deadline, this option will no longer be available. If you need to make a correction to your application after the deadline has passed, please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Logging in

Q: What is my username?

Your username is your email address. If you have multiple email addresses and aren't sure which one is your username, please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Q: How can I change or update my username?

Please email bfa@bikeleague.org to request the change. Only the system administrator can update an account username/email address, but we are happy to help make this change for you.

Q: How can I reset my password?

To reset your password, simply enter your email address at the following link, and then follow the directions that are emailed to you: https://bicyclefriendly.secure-platform.com/a/organizations/main/account/forgotpassword

If you do not receive an email please contact us at bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Q: The person who submitted our last application doesn't work here anymore -- how can we log in without access to their email?

The BFA team can transfer ownership of the last application to a new user or update the username on an existing account. Please email bfa@bikeleague.org with the email address for the original username and the new username for assistance.

Q: I'm a renewing applicant -- Why doesn't the system recognize my email address/username?

We moved to this online system in April 2016, so if your last application was submitted prior to then, you may not have an account in the current system. If you applied after April 2016 and the system does not recognize your email address/username, please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Q: I'm a League Member -- Why doesn't the system recognize my email address/username?

The Bicycle Friendly America Application Portal is a different online system from our membership portal.

If you are a League member trying to log in to the BFA portal and this is your first time logging in to submit a BFA application, please create a new account.

If you are trying to login to renew your League membership, please visit: https://bikeleague.secure.force.com/membership/lookup

If you are trying to login to the BikeLeague Hub for organizational League members and LCIs, please visit: https://hub.bikeleague.org/home

For more about League Membership, please visit https://bikeleague.org/join or contact membership@bikeleague.org with questions.

Collaborators

Q: Can more than one person edit an application at once?

No, the system will automatically lock an application that is currently being edited by one user so that other users can only view the application but not make edits, to avoid overwriting each other's edits.

Multiple users who are set up as collaborators on an application can all view that application at the same time, but only one user can make edits at a time.

Q: How do I add collaborators to my application?

When you're logged in to edit an application, click the "Manage Collaborators" button toward the upper right corner of the form.

From there, you will see a list of all current collaborators, if any, who have access to your application.

Click "Add Collaborator" and you will then be prompted to enter the first and last name and email address of each collaborator you'd like to add to that application:

The email address you enter for them should be the same email they'll use as their username. If they already created an account in our system, this process will automatically add your application to their "My Forms" >> "In Progress" queue. If they are new to the system, they'll be prompted to set up their account information and password the first time they log in before they will be able to access the application.

Each collaborator should automatically receive an email from our system (sent from bfa@bikeleague.org) inviting them to collaborate on your application.

Q: I'm a collaborator on an application but I can't submit it. What should I do?

Only the primary applicant (whoever originally started the form) can submit the application (and if applicable, online payment). The primary applicant can transfer primary ownership to any collaborator at any time if someone else should assume the role to be responsible for submission.

If your primary applicant is unavailable or unable to log in, please email bfa@bikeleague.org and we can transfer ownership of an application for you.

Q: How do I transfer ownership of an application to another user?

The primary owner of an application can transfer primary ownership of the application to any collaborator on the application. When logged in to the application, click "Manage Collaborators" -- from the list of collaborators, click "Make Primary" next to the username who you'd like to transfer the application to.

Q: Why can't I add collaborators to the application I'm editing?

Only the primary applicant (whoever originally started the form) can add collaborators to that form.

If your primary applicant is unavailable or unable to log in, please email bfa@bikeleague.org and we can transfer ownership of the application so that another user can add more collaborators.

Application Process

Q: When is the next submission deadline?

The next Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) submission deadline is June 25, 2024. Learn more. Find future BFC deadlines here.

The next Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB) submission deadlines are June 5, 2024 and then October 30, 2024. Find future BFB deadlines here.

The next Bicycle Friendly University (BFU) submission deadline is August 8, 2024. Find future BFU deadlines here.

Q: Is there a fee to submit an application?

There is a fee to apply to the Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs.

Thanks to the generous support of Eco-Counter and League Members there is currently no fee to apply to the Bicycle Friendly Community program.

The Bicycle Friendly Business application fee is dependent on the number of employees at the location applying, ranging from $50-$500. Non-profits and Government agencies pay the lowest tier ($50) regardless of their size, and additional discounts are available. Find the complete chart of BFB fees and a list of discounts available here.

The Bicycle Friendly University application fee is $100 per application. Learn more about discounts available to BFU applicants here.

Learn more about the payment process in the Payments section below.

Q: How long does it normally take to complete the application?

This depends on the program you are applying to, and the size and complexity of the applicant community/business/campus.

Many communities and college/university campuses form committees with key stakeholders to collaborate on their BFC or BFU applications, often over the course of several months or even up to a year. (Learn more about managing collaborators in the online application portal above.)

Larger businesses may spend days or weeks compiling information from different stakeholders or internal departments to complete their BFB application, while smaller businesses have reported finishing the BFB application as quickly as forty-five minutes to an hour.

All applicants can save their work and return to the online application over time, or are welcome to download the latest Word (for BFC and BFU) or PDF (for BFB) preview document of the application questions to work offline before entering their answers online. These preview documents can be downloaded for each respective program from the Application Portal home page.

Q: What happens after I submit an application?

Once you have submitted your application, you should receive a confirmation email to let you know that it was successfully received. (If applying to the Bicycle Friendly Business or University programs, you will also receive a copy of your invoice or receipt for the application fee.) Your completed application will be in our queue to be reviewed until the submission deadline passes.

Following the submission deadline, the online application will official close, and the review period will begin. Each applicant will receive an email outlining the projected timeline for the review process, as well as a link to a public survey that they are encouraged to circulate. Public surveys are typically open for 3-5 weeks, depending on the program.

For Bicycle Friendly Community applicants, this survey should be shared as broadly as possible to get public input from as many current and potential bicyclists in the community as possible. The League will also distribute the survey directly to all current League members whose zipcode fall within the community, and will also share with our network of local and statewide bicycle advocacy organizations, and encourage them to share with their member and partner networks as well.
For Bicycle Friendly Business applicants, this survey should be shared internally with employees, and if applicable, with customers/tenants/frequent guests. The League will distribute a separate survey to local and statewide advocates for their input on the business as well.
For Bicycle Friendly University applicants, this survey should be shared with students, staff, faculty, and local community members who are familiar with bicycling conditions on the campus. The League will distribute a separate survey to local and statewide advocates for their input on the business as well.

A team of reviewers will evaluate each submitted application and will also have access to review public survey responses to inform their award decisions. Awards are determine based on the League's criteria for each program, which can be found here:

Q: Can I make an edit or correction to an application I already submitted?

Q: How are award levels determined?

Awards are determine based on the League's criteria for each program, which can be found here:

Q: When will I find out the results of my application?

Award notifications are typically sent out 2-3 months following the submission deadline for each application round, depending on the number of applications received. After each submission deadline passes, we typically send out an email to everyone who submitted an application in that round to provide a more specific estimate of when we expect to inform applicants.

Q: What happens if we don't qualify to receive an award?

Applicants that just fall short of a designation receive an Honorable Mention, and some applicants receive no designation at all. Applicants that receive an Honorable Mention are promoted on the League website for one year, but there is no expiration on the 'Honorable Mention' status. Applicants that do not receive any designation are not published.

All applicants that do not achieve Bicycle Friendly status still receive a detailed feedback report that can be used to work towards a designation next time the community/business/school applies. For the programs with application fees (Bicycle Friendly Business and University) applicants that receive Honorable Mention or no designation will have their next application fee waved after they have made improvements and are ready to reapply to the BFA program.

Q: When will I receive our feedback materials?

Feedback materials are typically sent 1-2 months after the awards announcement is made. If you have not received your feedback materials, please feel free to check with us at bfa@bikeleague.org for an updated timing estimate, or to request a copy of an older feedback report.

Awards

Q: How long is the award valid?

The Bicycle Friendly Community/Business/University designation (Bronze or higher) is valid for 4 years from the time of the announcement.

Q: How does the League of American Bicyclists promote Bicycle Friendly America awardees?

All Bronze and higher BFA awardees are promoted on the League's interactive online Bicycle Friendly America Awards map and on our Connect Locally map during their 4-year designation.

Updated PDF lists of all current awardees are also posted to each respective program website for Bicycle Friendly Communities, Businesses, and Universities.

The League also regularly publishes stories about our Bicycle Friendly America awardees and partners on social media (including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) as well as on the League blog, in our biweekly e-newsletter, and in American Bicyclist magazine for League members.

Q: What kinds of benefits or promotional materials do awardees receive?

All BFA awardees (Bronze and higher) receive a printed award letter and certificate in the mail, as well as a digital award letter, program/award/year-specific Award Seal image files, and a digital Announcement Toolkit via email, containing templates and sample language for press release, blog/newsletter, and social media posts.

The League also has an online store where awardees can purchase duplicate BFA certificates, signs, and other program-specific promotional materials.

Q: How do I order signs or other materials to show off our award?

Current awardees can purchase signs and other promotional materials in our online store for each program:

Q: Where do I find a copy of the program logo or our award seal image to promote our designation?

Please reference your original award notification email for links to download your BFA award seal images and BFC/BFB/BFU program logos. (Note the digital folder of your award seal images are linked directly in your award notification email, while program logos are provided in the Announcement Toolkit linked in the same email).

If you do not have the original award notification email or if the links included in that email no longer work, please contact us at bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Q: What is the difference between a Bicycle Friendly America award and a League Membership?

To receive a Bicycle Friendly America (BFA) award, you must submit an online application to the respective BFA program through the BFA Application Portal, which will then be reviewed and evaluated for award consideration.

Membership to the League is not a requirement to participate in the BFA program, and membership status does not impact the award level of a BFA applicant. 'Membership' refers to any dues-paying membership type to support to the advocacy work of League of American Bicyclists, a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more about the League and about benefits of becoming a League member today.

Renewals

Q: When is our renewal application due?

All BFA awards (Bronze and higher) are valid for four years, and renewal applications are due by the end of the 4th year since your most recent award designation. For example, if your last award was in Spring or Fall 2019, your renewal application should be submitted before the final application deadline in 2023 to avoid any lapse in your designation.

Find a complete list of upcoming submission deadlines by program, here:

Q: We have a new, exciting development planned right after our renewal application is due, can/should we renew later to include it on our next application?

Yes, if your community/business/school has something exciting just on the horizon, it can often be worthwhile to wait to apply so that your new bike plan, road diet, indoor bike room, bike share program, etc. can be included on your renewal application, and we do grant extensions on renewals for this reason. Please email us at bfa@bikeleague.org if you'd like to discuss in more detail, and so that we can grant the extension for your late renewal.

Q: Do Honorable Mention designations need to be renewed?

No, Honorable Mention designations do not expire and do not need to be renewed after any specific time period. Any applicant that receives no designation or Honorable Mention should make improvements and wait until their next application shows considerable improvements and increased investment before trying to move up to Bronze. Please reference your BFC Report Card or BFB/BFU Feedback Report for specific recommendations on what improvements our reviewers would like to see before your community/business/school is ready for a Bronze or higher designation.

Q: Do new and renewing applicants fill out the same application?

Yes, currently all applicants fill out the same online application for each respective program, regardless of new/renewal status. We are exploring the possibility of simpler renewal forms for current awardees who would like to simply renew at their current level (rather than be considered for a higher award designation), starting with the Bicycle Friendly University program. If you would like more information, please contact bfa@bikeleague.org.

Q: Do I need to submit our renewal application under the same account as our last application?

Unless you would like to copy over your previous submission to the current round (see below for more details) you are welcome to create a new account to submit a renewal application.

If you would like to copy over your previous submission to the current round and do not have access to the original account under which it was submitted, we can either transfer the original application to a new user account, or we can update the username/email address for the existing account to someone new. Please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Q: Do I need to submit our renewal application during the same seasonal round as our last application?

It is recommended but not required that renewal applications are submitted in the same seasonal round (Spring/Fall) as their previous application/award.

Q: Can I copy over my answers from a previous submission to the current application?

Yes, if your previous application was submitted through our current online application system (any time after April 2016), we now have the capability to copy over answers from previous submissions into a new online application form in the current round.

The BFA team is still testing out this capability but it is available to any renewing applicant from April 2016 or later. Returning applicants from April 2016 or later can find the current instructions and links to copy over their previous application to the current online submission form at the program links below:

Returning Bicycle Friendly Community applicants: https://bicyclefriendly.secure-platform.com/a/page/community/renewals

Returning Bicycle Friendly Business applicants: https://bicyclefriendly.secure-platform.com/a/page/business/renewals

Returning Bicycle Friendly University applicants: https://bicyclefriendly.secure-platform.com/a/page/university/renewals

Note: If you need to update the username affiliated with a previous application, or to transfer a previous online application to another existing user, please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance.

Q: Can I receive a PDF of the previous application submitted for my Bicycle Friendly Community/Business/University?

Yes, please email bfa@bikeleague.org to request a PDF copy of your previous application submission and feedback report.

If your previous application was submitted in the current online application system (in April 2016 or later) you can also download a PDF copy of the submission yourself, by logging in and navigating to your list of complete applications. Click "print" next to your application to export a PDF.

If you do not have access to the online account under which the application was submitted, please email bfa@bikeleague.org and we can either transfer the application to a new account or update the username on the existing account.

Payments

Q: How much is the application fee?

The Bicycle Friendly University application fee is $100. Learn more about discounts available to BFU applicants here.

There is currently no fee to apply to the Bicycle Friendly Community program, thanks to the generous support of Eco-Counter and League Members.

Q: Are there discounts available?

Yes, for Bicycle Friendly Business applicants, discounts are available for:

Existing Bicycle Friendly Businesses that are scheduled to renew this year (their last application was 4 years ago).
Previous BFB applicants that received No Award or Honorable Mention on their most recent application.
Businesses that are Corporate and Business Members of the League of American Bicyclists (limit one free application per year) and maintain their membership for the full 4 years of their BFB designation.
Women-owned businesses
Minority-owned businesses.

For Bicycle Friendly University applicants, discounts are available for:

Existing Bicycle Friendly Universities that are scheduled to renew this year (their last application was 4 years ago).
Previous BFU applicants that received No Award or Honorable Mention on their most recent application.
Institutions that are a current Affiliate/organizational Member of the League, and maintain their membership for the full 4 years of their BFU designation.
HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions.
All-Women's Colleges.
Community Colleges.

There is currently no fee to apply to the Bicycle Friendly Community program, thanks to the generous support of Eco-Counter and League Members.

Please email bfa@bikeleague.org for more information or to request the discount code if your business/school is eligible for one of the categories above.

Q: How do I pay our application fee?

After you have completed your application, there will be a button at the end of the online submission to "Finalize and Add to Cart." Once your application is 'In Cart' you will be prompted to enter any applicable discount code and to indicate whether you will pay by credit card or check. If paying by credit card, you will be prompted to enter credit card information. If paying by check, the system will generate an invoice for you to print and mail in with your check.

Q: Can I pay by check or purchase order?

Yes, please complete your application first, and then click "Finalize and Add to Cart." Once your application is 'In Cart' you will be prompted to enter any applicable discount code and to indicate whether you will pay by credit card or check. If paying by check, the system will generate an invoice for you to print and mail in with your check.

Q: How do I request an invoice to pay by check or purchase order/credit card later?

Please complete your application first, and then click "Finalize and Add to Cart." Once your application is 'In Cart' you will be prompted to enter any applicable discount code and to indicate whether you will pay by credit card or check.

If paying by credit card, you can either leave your application "In Cart" and return to log in later and add payment information to pay online, but please note your application will not be considered "complete" until payment is received.

If you need to pay by credit card after the submission deadline, please select "Paying by Check" as your payment method to submit your application before the deadline, and you will still be able to log back in later to access your invoice and the online payment system to submit credit card information and process your credit card payment online.

If paying by check, the system will submit your application and generate an invoice for you to print and mail in with your check. Please include your invoice number and the name of your Bicycle Friendly America application with your check, and mail check to:

League of American Bicyclists
Attn: BFA Billing
1612 K St. NW Suite 1102
Washington, DC 20006

Q: When is payment due?

Payment is due within 30 days of application submission deadline.

Q: I am a collaborator on our application, can I submit the application fee payment?

Currently only the primary applicant/owner of the application (whoever started an application) can view invoices and submit payment associated with an application. If you need to have a collaborator submit payment, the primary applicant can transfer ownership of an application before it is submitted, or please email bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance and we can temporarily transfer ownership before or after the application is submitted to allow a collaborator to submit payment.

(Note: We have put in a request to our application portal web host to allow collaborators to view invoices and submit payment, and will update this page if/when this capability changes.)

Q: Our local bike club, advocacy group, or other third party is paying for our application and they want to pay by credit card, what should we do?

Please complete and finalize your application so that it is "In Cart" and then contact us at bfa@bikeleague.org for assistance. We can either take their credit card payment over the phone or, if they already have an account in our online application portal, we can temporarily assign them access to submit payment for your application.

Q: Can I get a copy of the receipt from my payment?

Yes, if you are the primary account owner of the application, please log in to your account and you can view and download PDF copies of any paid and unpaid invoices associated with your account, here. If you do not have access to the primary account owner's online account, please email bfa@bikeleague.org and we can email you a copy of the paid invoice, and/or transfer ownership to a new user.

Q: What is the League's Tax ID Number?

The League of American Bicyclists' Tax ID Number is 36-6206225 -- this number is also included in every invoice/receipt generated by our application system.

Q: Where can I find the League's W-9 form?

Please click here to download the League's latest W-9 form: http://bikeleague.org/w9

The latest W-9 form is also available in the left-hand menu under About the League from our home page: https://bikeleague.org.

Q: I need the League to fill out a vendor form in order to process payment. What should I do?

Please email us at bfa@bikeleague.org with a copy of any forms you need completed.

Q: I am an Individual/Life/Family member of the League of American Bicyclists -- does this get my company/school/organization's BFB/BFU application fee waived?

Thank you for being a member of the League! Unfortunately, individual/life/family memberships do not include BFA application discounts as a member benefit. Your company/school/organization should join the League as a business/affiliate/organizational member to receive this benefit. Learn more about different member types and associated benefits, here.

Q: How can my company/school/organization become a member of the League to receive our free BFB/BFU application?

Please visit our online Membership Join form and select one of the organizational or business member categories and follow the prompts to complete your membership.

Once your company/school/organization is a member of the League, please email us at bfa@bikeleague.org to receive a discount code that will allow you to submit your BFB/BFU application free-of-charge.

Q: My company/school/organization is already a member of the League. How do I submit our BFB/BFU application for free?

Thank you for being an organizational/business member of the League! Please email us at bfa@bikeleague.org to receive a discount code that will allow you to submit your BFB/BFU application free-of-charge.

Q: I'm not sure if my company/school/organization is a member of the League. How do I find out?

Please visit our online membership renewal form and select "Business/Organization Name" from the dropdown menu. Type the first few letters/words of your company/school/organization name (and be sure to try any variations of the name that your membership may have been under). If you still aren't sure, please email membership@bikeleague.org for more information.

Q: Are BFA Application Fee payments tax-deductible?

No, unlike League membership dues and donations, BFA Application Fee payments are not tax-deductible.

For more general Bicycle Friendly America program FAQs & Resources, please see the following pages:

BFC Program FAQs // BFB Program FAQs // BFU Program FAQs

Still have more questions? Please email bfa@bikeleague.org!