How to Encourage Your Employees to Bike to Work

Encouraging your employees to bike to work can be part of your company's overall "green" strategy or simply a way for your employees to stay fit.

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There may be several reasons to encourage your employees to seek alternate transportation to work. Whether it's carpooling, taking public transportation, walking or biking, the benefits of not driving a car everyday are substantial. The most notable benefit is the reduced strain on the environment. Cutting back on driving not only reduces our countries dependence on crude oil, but also reduces our carbon footprint. However, by taking an extra step—and asking your employees to ride a bike to work—your company will have pride knowing that its also contributing to the physical health and well-being of the employees that participate.


How to Encourage Your Employees to Bike to Work: Getting Started

Marilyn Bryant, executive director of the non-profit Sacramento Transportation Management Association (STMA) in Sacramento, California, suggests writing down a general idea of what you would like your bike program to look like.

A large part of the program must center around making biking more convenient for participants. So offering a secure place for bike storage, or a place for workers to shower and change and store clothing goes a long way.

The Association, which supports cycling as a method to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, offers Sacramento-based businesses a survey to determine their level of bicycle friendliness. If you score high enough, the association encourages you to apply for certification as a Sacramento Region Bicycle-Friendly Business. If not, you can contact the group to learn how to become more bicycle friendly. Below are several of the questions from the STMA survey. Ask yourself the following question in order to build a picture in your mind of the program you'd like to have:

Which of the following transportation-related benefits are provided to your employees? Check all that apply.
__ Commuter tax benefit for bicycle commuters
__ Other cash incentives for bicycle commuters
__ Free secure bicycle parking
__ Guaranteed ride home (e.g., due to bad weather, employee illness)
 
Does your business promote May is Bike Month? Y  N  If yes, please describe.
Does your business promote Bike to Work Day? Y  N  If yes, please describe.
 
Does your business provide assistance toward an employee's purchase of a bicycle or bicycling-related equipment? Y  N  If yes, please describe.
 
Does your business provide either of the following?
•    A fleet of bicycles for employees to use for short errands or trips?
•    Bike-sharing or bike loan program?
•    How many bicycles?
•    Do you track use?
•    If yes, what percentage of employees use them per month?

Does your business have a bicycle user's group or club? Y  N   If yes, how many members?
Please describe its activities and their frequency.
 
Does your business use any of the following means to promote bicycling? If yes, please describe.

•    Sponsor a local riding club or bike racing team (e.g., employee, local, youth, professional)
•    Use local bicycle couriers
•    Organize bike rides or other bike-related events for employees
•    Sponsor individual employees who participate in local charity rides, races or other bike events (e.g., Breathe California Emigrant Trails Bike Trek, MS 150, Tour de Cure, etc.)
•    Provide free secure bike parking for customers or clients
•    Provide other incentives for customers or clients who ride bicycles (e.g., special discounts or promotions)

Does your business sponsor or partner with any local, state and/or national bicycle advocacy groups? Y  N  If yes, please describe.
 
Does your business work with local advocates to improve bicyclist conditions for the community? Y  N
 
Does your business provide any of the following types of bicycle parking? Check all that apply.
__ For employees
__ For customers, clients or guests
__ Covered
__ Uncovered
__ Secured area (e.g., fenced enclosure)
__ Bicycle lockers
__ Bring bikes indoors (e.g., lobby, employee workplace)
 
Does your business provide any of the following amenities for employees who commute by bicycle?
__ Locker room
__ Showers
__ Bicycle repair station
__ Maintenance supplies such as tools, pumps and tubes
__ Dedicated bike maintenance person
 
Does your business provide employees with any of the following types of bicycle-related training?
__ Safe riding skills
__ Maintenance
__ Driver training on how to share the road with bicyclists
__ Other (please describe)
 
Does your business provide any of the following educational tools to employees outside of classes or clinics?
__ Information on safe bicycling
__ Help finding bike routes to work
__ Information on proper bicycle equipment
__ Information on safe driving and how to share the road with bicyclists
__ Other (please describe)
 
How many of your employees commute to work by bike more than twice a week?
 
Does anyone in your top management regularly commute to work by bicycle? Y  N  
 
Does your business have an action plan for promoting bicycle use? Y  N  If yes, please describe.
 
What has been your business's most significant investment for bicycling in the past year?
 
List your business's current community activities that encourage/promote bicycling.

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