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"We're using the power of the bike business to make the world a better place. It's about advocating to get more people riding more often. It's about involving employees, community members and businesses in a bike-centered movement to improve personal health, advance social justice and create a more environmentally sustainable planet."
Seth Nesselhuf, A.C.E Director
Learn how we turn our passion for bikes into a powerful force for doing good
A.C.E.
We give six percent of our annual after-tax profits to a range of national and local charities. Through our Advocacy, Community Service and Environment (ACE) program, we empower employees to do volunteer work; develop and participate in environmental initiatives; and advocate for expanding the presence of bicycles on the streets and within American culture.
It's about involving employees, community members and businesses to use bike advocacy as a tool to get more people riding more often, promote social justice and build a more sustainable, bike-friendly planet.
Our vision is to inspire others to make their communities more livable, healthier, bike-friendly places, and work toward the creation of a globally sustainable civilization.
To learn more about the ACE program contact Seth Nesselhuf, ACE director at snesselh@qbp.com or call 952.941.9778 ext. 1125.
Advocacy
"We believe in this transformative power of the bicycle—that communities can get healthier; that kids can get healthier; that schools and businesses can use cycling as an economic driver so that the community itself gets fiscally or financially healthier."
Gary Sjoquist, QBP Advocacy Director
QBP Advocacy: Working to Get Every Butt on a Bike
Creating new places to ride is one of the most important things we do. After all, our products are used and enjoyed on bike lanes, bike paths, and mountain bike trails. We lobby for federal funds in Washington, D.C. and work with state departments of transportation and local advocacy groups to implement programs like:
- Safe Routes to School
- Non-Motorized Pilot Program for Minneapolis cycling network
- Mountain bike trail, BMX track and bike path projects
- Bike-to-work programs and bike rack donations for area businesses
- Bike-mechanic training and apprenticeship programs
QBP Advocacy contact:
Alice Erickson aerickso@qbp.com
952.941.9391 ext. 1541
Community
"Community service is about sharing with each other an intended purpose to do good. When we do good for others, we feel good about who we are. . . . That's a part of us we all need just to be productive and happy within our day and within our lives."
Pam Hile, QBP ACE Committee
The QBP Community Service Program helps employees volunteer time, make QBP-matched donations, and collects goods for charitable organizations. Collectively, our staff gives thousands of hours and dollars for the betterment of our community—locally and around the world. QBP matches each hour with a financial contribution to the organization.
QBP supports many community service organizations including:
- Full Cycle Bike Shop and Community Outreach
- Sibley Bike Depot and the Ogden Bike Collective*
- Trips for Kids
- Red Cross Youth Bikes
- World Bicycle Relief
- Bike parts for U.S. Troops in Middle East
Check out our video about these community-based bike shops.
Reaching At-Risk youth with Full Cycle
QBP helps finance Full Cycle, a Minneapolis-based outreach program that helps homeless and at-risk youth build better lives through paid, six-month bike-mechanic internships. Participants are also connected with vitally needed social services. Not only does this benefit the community, it provides local bike shops with a steady supply of well-trained mechanics.
Additionally, funding from QBP lets Full Cycle employ a fulltime bike mechanic, offer bicycle mechanic courses, and run a small retail business that repairs and sells used bikes.
Changing Lives One Bike at a Time
Bikes 4 Families Gives Bikes to People in Need
Each holiday season, the employees of QBP raise enough funds to purchase bikes for a select group of deserving families. In 2011, we worked with Erik’s Bike Shop and Full Cycle in the Twin Cities, and Saturday Cycles in Ogden, UT, to help four families get on the road to good health and better living through biking.
Learn more about Bikes 4 Families
Having Meaningful Fun at Doce de Mayo
In 2011, our annual Doce de Mayo fundraiser focused on the Sibley Bike Depot, a St. Paul-based community bike shop that promotes self-sufficiency and environmental sustainability by encouraging people to ride bikes.
See how ACE turns "meaningful fun" into positive social change
QBP Community Service Contact:
Pam Hile
phile@qbp.com
952.941.9391 ext. 1200
Learn more about QBP Advocacy programs by contacting ace@qbp.com
Environment
"Regardless of how many degrees of separation we're dealing with, every decision we make has an effect on the environment. Therefore, we need to consider the environment in every decision."
Chuck Sween, QBP Environmental Coordinator
Partnering for Lasting Change
Sustainable business practices are deeply connected with the health of our planet. We constantly work to reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and find more efficient ways to get and distribute goods. As a wholesale distributor, we develop green supply chain initiatives—upstream and downstream. We reach out to other businesses and organizations, helping them incorporate sustainable practices. Working together, we can achieve lasting change that benefits our world for generations to come.
Environmental Sense and Business Cents
Shipping orders by air is costly to your budget and hurts the environment. With QBP's Ground Incentive Program, qualified dealers* who choose ground shipping instead of air receive freight credits and a discount on their invoices.
*Dealers must be eligible for air-shipping incentive.
Supply Side Sustainability
Because we strive to use only sustainable products and materials, we examine everything that comes into QBP—from cleaning supplies to pens and paper.
Green Acres
From rooftop solar panels to worm-based composting, we cover a lot of ground to reduce environmental impact. Both our Utah and Minnesota facilities feature 40-kilowatt solar arrays and LEED-designed offices and distribution centers*. At all our locations—including Pennsylvania—we:
- Practice company-wide recycling and waste reduction
- Use biodegradable utensils and reusable ceramic ware in food areas
- Help dealers develop environmentally sustainable practices
Additionally, our Utah facility uses worms to turn food waste into rich compost.
*Gold-certified in Minnesota. Platinum certification is pending in Utah.
Shrinking Our Footprint and Growing Our Bottom Line with LEED
QBP operates two environmentally sustainable distribution centers in Bloomington, MN and Ogden, UT. Built according to the LEED* standards established by the U.S. Green Council, the buildings are designed to save energy and resources, and minimally impact the environment.
*Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Saving Energy and Reducing Waste
Combining advanced technology with sustainable construction practices, the facilities sip energy with high-efficiency lighting and appliances; and reduce rivers of wastewater to a trickle with innovative plumbing. A 40-kilowatt solar panel array crowns each building, turning abundant prairie and mountain sunshine into clean, sustainable electricity.
Softening Our Footprints
Treading lightly on the surrounding terrain, the structures rise up instead of out. That leaves more trees to drink up carbon and exhale fresh air. Any soil disturbed during construction was used to create new green space or utilized in the foundation.
Building Our Bottom Line
Not only are these buildings environmentally friendly, they're kind to the bottom line, too. Square foot for square foot, the energy-frugal facilities generate bigger long-term return on investment than conventionally built structures.
Cleaning the Rain in Minnesota
Our graded parking lot channels storm runoff into porous pavers and rain gardens where water is cleansed, and chemical pollutants broken into harmless elements. Much of the grounds are planted with drought-resistant native prairie grasses that don't need watering or maintenance. Plus, green plantings in the parking lot minimize heat island effect.
- 95% of rainwater stays on our property—keeps surface waste out of local streams
- Replenishes local ground water
- We get money back from the city for storm-water runoff
Tour the Green Side of QBP in Minnesota and Utah
Learn more about the environmental features of our business by taking an eco-tour of QBP's LEED Gold Certified distribution center and office complex in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Eco-tours take place the first Wednesday of every month and are free and open to the public. To schedule a tour for your group, please contact green@qbp.com or call 952.941.9778.
Commuting
"QBP advocates that lifestyle of replacing your car with two wheels."
Dustin Eskelson - Q-West
Working Out to Work: The QBP Bike Commuting Program
The benefits of commuting by bike are far greater than saving money on gas and taking in some pleasant scenery. People who regularly bike to work enjoy better health, experience less stress, and are happier and more productive—at work and beyond. They are also doing their part to create a more sustainable environment. And what better way to experience the pure joy and freedom of cycling than gliding past traffic jams on your way to work?
That's why QBP does much more than encourage employees to bike to work. We actively support cycling as a way of life by providing:
- Indoor and outdoor parking for hundreds of bikes
- Lockers, showers and a towel service
- Commuter credits for purchasing bike parts, accessories and apparel
- Pro deals on bike products from select vendors
- Maps and route information for novice commuters
- Free breakfast on Bike to Work Days
- Free lunch for bike commuters on Mondays
By rewarding employees who bike to work or use other earth-friendly modes of transport, we're taking a small—but bold—step toward an environmentally sustainable future.
Commuting Pays Off for Company, Community and Employees
More than a feel-good initiative, the QBP Bike Commuting Program produces tangible benefits our company and the entire community by:
- Improving health and morale
- Lowering healthcare costs – in fact it's lowered our company healthcare costs 4.4% over the last three years
- Reducing need for parking spaces
- Producing less pollution and roadway congestion
QBP awards credits to employees who travel to work via human power—biking, walking, running, skating, skiing, etc—or use alternative transportation options like buses, car pools or motorcycles. The more trips they log, the more credits they get. Our commuters cash in their credits for products like bikes, parts, accessories and apparel.
Launch Your Own Commuter Program
Bike commuters enjoy better health, an increased sense of community and pride about the work place that supports them. With a little planning and effort, you can create a thriving commuter program in your organization. We focus on bicycle commuting for obvious reasons, but you can take our program and apply it to any mode you wish. The key is supporting and recognizing the achievements of your commuters. Gift cards, prizes and cash incentives are popular options that could work for you.
We're happy to share our knowledge and experience. Hopefully, it will help you create a leaner, greener future for your organization.
Learn More about our commuting program
Help Your Commuters Rack Miles, Credits and Glory with Greenlightride.com
Our free Greenlightride.com bike-commuting app makes it easy for anyone to track mileage, build credits, and participate on competitive teams similar to QBP's Commuter Bike League.
For more information about incorporating commuting incentives at your workplace, contact Alice Erickson, Commuter Advocacy Coordinator at QBP: aerickso@qbp.com.