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HOW-TO CREATE A BIKE-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE A complete guide to creating a bike-friendly workplace, including the culture boom of biking to work, tips for encouragement and expert interviews.

How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

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Page 1: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

HOW-TO CREATE A BIKE-FRIENDLY WORKPLACEA complete guide to creating a bike-friendly workplace, including the culture boom of biking to work, tips for encouragement and expert interviews.

Page 2: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 Why We Wrote How-to Create A Bike-Friendly Workplace

5 The Culture Boom of Biking to Work6 Inside Bicycle Culture8 Integrating Bike Culture Into Corporate Culture

9 Benefits of Bike-Friendly Workplaces10 Benefits to Commuters12 Benefits to Employers

14 Encouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplace15 How to Encourage Employees17 How to Encourage Bosses

20 Educate Your Employees21 How Far and How Long?23 What Should You Wear?24 Bike Helmets25 Ideal Bikes for Commuting27 Inspecting Your Bike

28 Invest in the Right Site Furnishings29 Bike Racks31 Security Equipment32 Storage & Lockers

34 Resources for Getting Started35 National Bike Programs & Organizations

Page 3: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

3

Almost everyone can remember the day when they first learned how to ride a bike. Most of us started with training wheels, getting a feeling for how the pedals moved the chain, how the handlebars turned the wheel, and how the brakes could save us from running into parked cars. The feeling of rolling across the pavement was wonderful, but the experience was limited.

Fast-forward a couple of months and you’re at the top of the driveway. Your helmet is strapped. Your shoes are tied. Your training wheels are off. Yes, your training wheels are off. It’s time to ride your bike like a big kid.

Learning how to ride a bike was a big part of most of our childhoods, but in adulthood we rarely find ourselves on two wheels. That feeling of independence, freedom, and joy we had when we were young doesn’t have to be a distant memory. We hope this guide will explain why we need to recapture those memories and to detail all of the benefits and value that opting for two wheels brings. As the saying goes “It’s like riding a bike”, so let’s put down the car keys and pick up the bicycle helmet and learn how to create a bike-friendly workplace.

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Page 4: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

4

Why We Wrote How-to Create A Bike-Friendly Workplace

In the late 1960’s, the bike grew in popularity in North America, as Americans were looking to use bikes for things like transportation, exercise, and eventually a means of being energy efficient on their daily commutes in

urban areas. The bike boom of the 1970’s led to sales numbers reaching upwards of 17 million units, according to Richard’s Bicycle Book by Richard Ballantine.

In 2010, NPR covered a segment where they stated that cycling had tripled over the past two decades, with

some of the nations largest cities seeing a surge in the amount of cyclists. This increase has also correlated

with the amount of people that are biking to work.

Biking to work is beneficial for many obvious reasons, but there are also benefits that often don’t get the amount of attention they deserve, like its boost to employee morale, to green building initiatives and more. We wrote this guide to help both employees and companies see the detailed benefits that are often overlooked, like the culture behind biking to work and the incentives to both employers and employees. We’ll also walk you through how you can encourage a bike-friendly workplace, educate employees, invest in the right site furnishings, and offer the right resources to anyone who might need some additional encouragement.

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Page 5: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

PART ONE

The Culture Boom of Biking to Work

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Page 6: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

6 | The Culture Boom of Biking to Work

Inside Bicycle CultureMainstream bicycle culture, or subculture, can be seen in cities with a well-developed infrastructure that supports biking. This infrastructure is best seen in cities like Portland, San Francisco, Toronto, Montreal, Peoria, and the Twin Cities. For instance, the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge in Minneapolis gives riders the opportunity to pass over the Hiawatha light rail line as well as a 6-lane road. According to the city website, as many as 6,000 people a day cross the bridge in the summer season.

Many cities across the world have other types of technological advances to support bicycle culture, like automated underground bike parking, tunnels, bike share programs, and roads dedicated for bike-use only.

We feel that bicycle culture should be a part of mainstream culture in the same way that driving or being a spectator is part of our culture.–Mike Weiss, President, Big Shark Bicycle Company

With bicycle culture comes advocates of varying degrees, such as increases in population-wide commuting, the acceptance of cycling on roads shared by cars, and even legislation that promotes bicycle culture and the safety of the riders that belong to this group. Legislation can even lead to requests for additional bike lanes, improved bike parking areas, and access to public transportation for those who don’t have access to a motor vehicle. Even the US Department of Transportation describes bicycles as equals to trains, planes, and cars, advancing the infrastructure that caters to bicycle culture.

Bicycle enthusiasts may also include:

Racers

Transportation Activists

Messengers

Mechanics

Bike Fabricators

Commuters

Bicycle groups often organize activities that promote competitive cycling, riding for fun, protests, and civil disobedience. For example, a group of Los Angeles bikers called Midnight Ridazz rides every second Friday of the month, exceeding 1000 cyclists that ride to inspire more people to ride bicycles.

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7 | The Culture Boom of Biking to Work

37% 6,670

M

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63% 11,986

SEAT

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, WA

65% 18,977

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AN

D, OR

68% 15,016

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AUSTIN, TX

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HICAGAO, IL

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PHILADELPHIA

, PA

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INDIANAPOLIS, I N

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, CO

THE GROWTH OF BIKE COMMUTING

–American Community Survey and The U.S. Census Bureau

2011 # of Commuters

(in 2011)

Based on a 5-year Change

(2006 – 2011)

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Page 8: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

8 | The Culture Boom of Biking to Work

Integrating Bike Culture Into Corporate Culture When people think of cycling, they typically think of this recreational activity as something done outside of the office. But now, companies are starting to realize that promoting a bicycle friendly workplace is both good for employees and productivity. Even decision makers are speaking out about their bike-friendly culture at work, from travel companies to law offices to breweries.

There are over 500 businesses that have implemented bike-friendly policies, 55% of which have under 100 employees.–League of American Bicyclists

Adventure Life is one company that encourages employees to bike to work, outfitting their office space with everything people need to make it possible. Jonathan Brunger, the general manager of Adventure Life has invested in covered bike racks, showers for staff, tools and bike pumps on site. They even have a couple of bikes on the site that are meant for sharing. You know, in case staff members want to go to lunch or commute to their next off-site meeting, all on two wheels. This is often a lot faster than hailing a taxi or walking to the parking garage to fetch your car - not to mention the hassles of parking when you do make it to your location.

There are even companies who are incorporating bicycle culture in their daily routines, like interviewing employees for hire. Ciclismo Classico, a cycling adventure travel company is another one of these companies that are conducting employee interviews by bike. “Bicycling allows people to show off another side of themselves that’s fueled by endorphins,” says Lauren Hefferson, their founder. She even conducts her important business phone calls while riding around on her bike. “ I think more clearly and listen better when I’m pedaling,” she says.

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Page 9: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

PART TWOBenefits of Bike-Friendly Workplaces

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Page 10: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

10 | Benefits of Bike-Friendly Workplaces

Benefits to the CommuterBicycle-friendly workplaces provide commuters and employees with a plethora of benefits. Some of the more apparent benefits include money saved on gas and better overall health, but commuters can also benefit from a lot more than those listed above.

Bike-friendly workplaces are beneficial to the commuter because they:

Make Commuting SaferNumerous studies conclude that more cyclists on the roads leads to a more safe commute for everyone. For example, Odense, the third largest city in Denmark, ran a multi-year promotion that encouraged people to incorporate biking into their daily commute. As a result, they increased cycling levels by 20 percent, which directly decreased the amount of traffic incidents that involved cyclists by the same percentage.

People like to live where they can walk and bicycle safely. When you encourage your employees to bike, it helps cities to work to become more bicycle friendly.–Dr. Brent Hugh, Executive Director, Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation

The city of Vancouver started the Point Grey Cornwall Greenway, which pushed for a more safe environment for everyone in the city, including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and children. They found that there was less aggressive driving and speeding, more caution when backing out of driveways, and less busy intersections as a result.

Allow for Cheaper CommutesDriving is expensive. Think about the amount of gas you put into your car each month, the amount you pay for the vehicle you drive, your car insurance costs, and continued maintenance like oil changes and other costly repairs. It’s clear that riding a bike can cut your costs on these items dramatically, especially if you could ride to work during the week.

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11 | Benefits of Bike-Friendly Workplaces

Give Reasons to ExerciseThis may seem like an obvious benefit of riding your bike to work, but regular physical activity is proven to prevent many of the leading causes of disease and death. The biggest reason people don’t exercise is because they claim to “not have the time.” But what if you could use your daily work commute to exercise? Once you get down a routine, wouldn’t the amount of time it took to commute to work decrease, ultimately achieving two things at once - getting to work while exercising?

Eliminate TrafficIf you drive to work and live in an urban area, you probably experience some sort of traffic on your daily commute. For some, the amount of time spent in traffic could be up to an hour. The fewer drivers we have on the road, the better. There is one less car on the road for each commuter that decides to ride to work, and it provides additional benefit to those who have to drive to work, for either distance or health related reasons.

Help Support and Advance Bike InitiativesMany cities, governments, and private companies have adopted bike-share programs for commuters looking to use a bicycle on a short-term basis. The motive around the idea is to provide free or affordable access to bicycles for short-distance trips, like for commuting to work. They also provide a benefit in that commuters don’t have to worry about parking, maintenance, or getting their bike stolen.

As of April 2013, there were around 535 bike-share programs around the world, made of an estimated fleet of 517,000 bicycles.–Earth Policy Institute

Decrease the Amount of Harmful Exhaust FumesBiking to work can significantly reduce the amount of harmful pollutants that enter the environment. According to a study done by the University of New Hampshire, each car produces another 1.3 billion cubic yards of polluted air and scatters an additional 40 pounds of rubber from tires, debris from brake pads, and road surface into the atmosphere, during its lifetime.

Allow for Tax Write-OffsUnder the Bicycle Commuter Act, employees may receive up to $20 a month to cover their bicycle commute related expenses. The Act was implemented to help make up for then costs involved in commuting to work, such as purchasing a helmet, bike lock, parking pass, and bicycle. The 2008 US Census Bureau’s

517,000

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12 | Benefits of Bike-Friendly Workplaces

American Community Survey found that 0.55% of the US population used a bike as their primary transportation method for getting to work. This was up 14% compared to 2007 and 43% compared to 2000. To get started, talk with your employers to see if they hold contracts with the Commuter Benefit Providers.

Save on Parking CostsThe price for parking downtown can range anywhere between a couple of bucks to $10 or $15 per hour, depending on if it’s street or garage parking. Few drivers agree that this charge is worth what their spot provides, considering a lot of garages don’t even provide 24-hour access and are closed on the weekends.

Biking to work saves on the parking costs mentioned above, but it also saves by driving down the demand for the space used to park in these places. For example, the SF Municipal Transportation Agency has installed 27 bike racks since 2010, turning 30 on-street spaces normally reserved for one parked car into space for 336 bikes.

Give Employees Stress Relief and Self ReflectionEveryone could use a little more alone and outside time in his or her life - more time to prepare and reflect on personal, social, and family issues that they may be facing. Biking to work allows for your brain to work in ways that are different from other daily activities. It allows you to smell, see, and experience the city in a different way. Each of us may find our own path to wellness, but biking to work can ease trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction. It’s been said that if pharmaceutical companies could bottle exercise, they wouldn’t be able to keep it in stock.

Benefits to EmployersAs there are many benefits to employees that bike to work, there are also benefits to employers that encourage bike-friendly workplaces.

Bike-friendly workplaces are beneficial to employers because they:

Save Millions in Lost ProductivityIt’s proven that those who bike to work are more punctual, ultimately boosting productivity in the office. A recent study by TNO, a Dutch economic think tank, found that people who commute to work are less likely to call in sick. Earl Blumenhauer, Oregon state representative says “commuting to work by bicycle by

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13 | Benefits of Bike-Friendly Workplaces

just 1 percent could save [Denmark’s] employers approximately $34 million in lost productivity from absenteeism. That’s assuming a workforce of 7.1 million people. The U.S. has more than 154 million people in its workforce.”

The biggest bottom-line benefits businesses see is a lowered amount of sick days and absenteeism because employees and healthier and happier with the sort of regular physical fitness routine that biking to work promotes.–Dr. Brent Hugh, Executive Director, Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation

Boost Workplace MoraleBoosting employee morale doesn’t have to always occur inside the office, it can happen before, after, or during lunch hours. Allow team members to get to know one another by instilling biking programs across the company. We’ll provide a foundation for how you can do this for your company later in this guide.

Allow for Tax Write-OffsThe IRS’ Commuter Tax Benefits can be extended beyond the benefits offered to employees by saving on payroll related taxes. Employers that reimburse their employees up to $20/month for qualified bicycle commuting can get a tax deduction and save over providing same value in gross income, according to the IRS.

Reduce Sick Time & Lower Insurance CostsHealth care costs for American companies have been soaring, but employers who are adopting bicycle friendly offices are spending less on health care. Employees that bike to work are often less sick, which consequently provides companies with lower health care costs. HealthPartners reports that participants in the QBP’s (Quality Bike Products) “Bike to Work” program cost approximately $200,000 less per year in health care claims annually, based on a comparison with employees that don’t participate in the program.

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PART THREEEncouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplace

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15 | Encouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplaces

How to Encourage EmployeesThere are a variety of bike-friendly employer programs that help businesses establish and encourage employees to start biking to work. For example, a Pittsburgh-based organization called BikePBH has a bike-friendly employer program with three goals in mind: provide employers with the right resources to make it happen; inform businesses about the growing demand for bike-related amenities; and to help promote Pittsburgh as a great biking community on the national stage while recognizing employers that support this transition.

I think that the most effective way to educate someone [on the benefits of biking] is to have them try it or be around others that do.–Mike Weiss, President, Big Shark Bicycle Company

Some steps that BikePBH take include employer questionnaires, financial incentives, and theme-based incentives.

QUESTIONNAIRESBikePBH has found success in having employers fill out a simple questionnaire to identify how companies are currently doing with their bike-friendly initiatives. They ask for information on current workplace culture, parking capabilities, locker and changing facilities, education and advocacy, and events and activities.

Some questions include:

What transportation-related benefits do you provide employees?

• Tax benefits, cash incentives, secure bike parking bike racks?

Does your business promote May as bike month?

Does your business promote Friday, May 17th as National Bike to Work Day?

FINANCIAL INCENTIVESWe already mentioned a few of the financial incentives for biking to work, but companies are extending these incentives even further. Canadian-based Bursting Silver is one example of a company that is not only incentivizing their employees to travel by car, they’re now paying them even more to travel by bike.According to Dawn Paley, an employee at Bursting Silver, they pay their staff

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16 | Encouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplaces

$0.50 per kilometer for traveling by car and $1 if they travel by bike. She claims that everyone is a winner in this situation, mainly because it adds to the culture of the workplace. Employers that change their behavior and incentives create a more livable work environment.

Here are two more companies that provide employee incentives for biking to work, according to USA Today:

New Resource Bank in San Francisco gives employees $250 if they want to buy a bike for their commute.

Discovery Communications in Maryland has made $350 available to every employee looking to buy or maintain a bike.

Thinking about offering a financial incentive for your commuters who bike to work? How about giving them cash, partnering with a local bike shop for discounts or offering bicycle-commuting reimbursement through the IRS?

THEME-BASED INCENTIVESNot every incentive has to revolve around money. One of the simplest ways to get your employees to bike to work is to launch a program around a theme, like Bike Month or Earth Day. Your workplace is most likely already full of competitive people who like to strive for the best result, so why not launch a contest or challenge? The idea is to embrace the competitive nature of your employees and to try and incorporate bike riding as a part of the workplace culture.

Integrated Marketing Group of Salt Lake City, Utah, asked employees to try and find other ways of getting to work. Jeff Hilton, co-founder, said all of his 15 employees participated in various ways. Five of them chose to ride bikes, including Hilton.

You might also want to try:

Contests

Games

Integration with related holidays

Events

?

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17 | Encouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplaces

It’s also recommended to try and piggyback on state or local governments who are pushing for the positive change. The state of Rhode Island has their very own Bike to Work Day that’s been a success since its launch in 2001. The Ocean State has even reached out to a local business in effort to develop a statewide bike map for commuting and recreational bikers.

How to Encourage BossesYou may know how to encourage fellow employees on biking to work, but do you know how to persuade the man in charge - you know, your boss? We already mentioned the benefits to businesses, but we haven’t discussed how to really encourage your boss to adopt a bike-friendly workplace.

Some key points of encouragement include:

Fitter and healthier employees

Promoting green energy

Less parking cost and space

The attractiveness of a bike-friendly workplace to potential employees.

A MORE FIT AND HEALTHIER WORKFORCEWe already mentioned the money that companies will save on health care costs, but we never mentioned the other ways to encourage bosses as it relates to employee health. For starters, fresh air does the body wonders and biking can provide just that. Many urban commuters often turn to trains, busses, and other forms of public transit, of which these commuters were found to be “six times more likely to suffer from acute respiratory infections,” according to a University of Nottingham study.

Even more detrimental to long-term employee health is the viruses that public transportation harbor. Another study by Safetytissues.com found that E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter are a threat to riders, making the occasional use of public transit a dangerous gamble with employee health. About-ecoli.com states that the duration of the illness can last up to twelve days - longer than 2 full weeks of work.

The promotion of workplace health far extends that of healthcare savings and absenteeism - it encourages enhanced motivation, improved productivity, and gives others the image of a caring organization.

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18 | Encouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplaces

Here are some additional ways to encourage your boss to have a more fit and healthy workplace:

Raise the topic of eating healthy at work by providing employees with nutritional information and facilities for preparing food in the office.

Offer free counseling for those who use tobacco.

Promote mental health by offering exercises to alleviate stress and tension.

Consider bringing in a professional for anonymous psychological consultations for all employees.

Bring in a nurse bi-monthly to check employee blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

PROMOTE GREEN ENERGY“Green” businesses get noticed more often because they make an effort to have a positive impact on their surrounding community. They do more than just act on government regulations; they adopt principles, practices, and business strategies that improve the life of their employees. “Green” businesses can become certified under the standardized classifications of B Corporations and Green America’s Certified Business program.

Sustainability is now a permanent part of 70% of corporate agendas.–MIT

Gas prices continue to soar, fossil fuels are becoming more scarce, and the business landscape is turning to a more environmentally conscious way of doing things. “Green” business practices are just another way of remaining competitive and many leaders agree that it’s contributing to profits.

Company leaders go green to:

Attract Talent - One of the best ways to increase employee satisfaction and morale in the workplace is to become a more environmentally conscious business. Bring the leaders together in your organization and think of engaging programs that will support the causes they your employees care about the most.

Attract Investors - The old philosophy of investing was aligned around a “do no harm” approach. Recently, investor thoughts have changed to benefit companies that are committed to the health of the communities that they operate in, whether it’s a small neighborhood, a region, or on an international

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19 | Encouraging a Bike-Friendly Workplaces

stage. If your business is not seeking to solve a social or environmental problem, it’s likely that investors will not seek to help you with an impactful investment.

Engage Consumers - Thankfully, most company leaders take action on being involved in their community. This leadership can do wonders from a community relations perspective. A report by D S Simon Productions found that media initiatives that have a strong corporate social responsibility can generate 35-50% more positive media coverage on TV, radio, and the Internet, in comparison to similar programs without the mission of being socially responsible.

BICYCLE PARKING TAKES UP LESS SPACEA lot of employers often forget about the size and value of their parking lot. The standard size of a parking spot is 9-by-18 foot, whereas a bike takes up a space the size of 2-by-6 feet. This is often overlooked because people generally think of transportation as something that moves, even though our means of commuting spend about 95 percent of their time parked.

Parking may be free to employees, but it’s certainly not free to business owners. What happens if your business grows to the point where your lot is full? You can’t just account for your employees either. What about your clients, customers, and investors? Where will they park when the lot is full?

A number of American companies are now waking up to the fact that parking isn’t a commodity. The number of cars on the road is rising and there won’t always be enough space to accommodate all of your visitors. Business owners in Portland, Oregon actually petition the city to build bike corrals, or a collection of bike racks that trade one or two car spaces for a dozen bike spaces. Bicycle parking gets more respect, and bicycle-friendly businesses get more space for less.

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PART FOUR

Educate Your Employees

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21 | Educate Your Employees

How Far and How LongRiders who are just starting out may wonder how far and how long they should ride, or if they should even ride at all. Things like the rules of the road, mapping your route, and a public transit/bike combination may affect these variables, so it’s important to consider all of these factors before riding.

DISTANCEPerhaps distance is the most important factor in deciding whether or not you’ll ride to work. Biking to work is certainly achievable if you only live within a few miles of the office, but what about those who live closer or even further than ten? Typically, those who live within five miles of the office shouldn’t have a problem getting to work on time - it becomes trickier as you move closer to the ten-mile mark.

Also, if you’re measuring the distance by your drive, there’s a good chance that it could change dramatically, as you might find shortcuts or ways of commuting that are impossible by car.

TIME AND FREQUENCYThe time it takes to bike to work can depend on several things, from equipment to weather to the condition of the rider. The most important thing to remember is to start with a manageable distance. Concerned about round trip commutes? You should consider hitching a ride with a co-worker so you can interchange your commuting frequency. For example, you could ride your bike to work and hitch a ride home and back to work the next morning. Then, your bike will be there for your commute home that day, and so on.

Below is a table that will help you better estimate how much time it takes to commute by bike, given a speed between 10 - 20mph.

ESTIMATED TIME

THAT IT TAKES TO COMMUTE

BY BIKE

DISTANCE (mi.) TIME (mins.)

1 3 - 6

2 6 - 12

3 9 - 18

5 15 - 30

10 30 - 60

15 45 - 90

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22 | Educate Your Employees

MAPPING OUT YOUR ROUTEYou’ve probably heard the phrase “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line,” but you can’t always follow this piece of advice. Mapping out your route will give you several ways to make for the best commute possible, from avoiding traffic to being safe on roadways.

Make sure that the roads you take to work are bicycle-friendly by considering the below points.

Try to use streets that use bike lanes. These are probably the safest way to and from the office.

Look for roads with the least amount of traffic and congestion. It’s the low-volume streets with the fewest buses and trucks that you want for your ride.

Hills can be a burden on the way you commute to the office, especially if you’re looking to complete the workday without a nap. Routes that go around hills and other physically demanding terrain can make your ride much more enjoyable.

Don’t forget about the other hazards of the roadway like railroad tracks, storm drains, and even poorly maintained streets. These roadblocks can add significant time to your commute and should be avoided.

You should also be aware that your route via car could be much different than on a bike. Google Maps offers street-by-street directions for cyclists, so you could use this as a resource for mapping your route.

MULTI-MODEL TRANSPORTATIONMulti-model transportation has grown immensely in recent years, with people using several modes of transportation in their commute to work. For instance, a New Yorker may bike to the nearest train, take it to a station that is within 5 miles of their workplace, and ride the rest of the way to work. These transportation modes can include buses, ferries, subways, light rails, commuter trains, and whatever else that gets you from one place to another.

Supporting a diverse range of transportation options reduces traffic congestion and commute times and expense.–Scott Ogilvie, St. Louis Alderman, 24 Ward“

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Of course, the above-mentioned modes of transportation didn’t include a bicycle, and that’s because a bicycle is personal transport. Employees are incorporating cycling into these other forms, mainly to keep their trips shorter if they live several miles from the office.

RULES OF THE ROADBicycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, and they are subject to the same rules, laws, and regulations. Most states provide information on how you can become familiar with these rules. In short, never ride against traffic, always ride with it. When cycling at less than the posted speed limit, you should ride as near to the right side of the road as possible. When on the right side of the road, be sure to leave plenty of space between yourself and hazards.

You may have to move toward the left or middle of the road, as necessary when:

Making a left turn

Avoiding hazards

The lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle

There is a right-turn-only lane and you are going straight.

Before changing lanes or your position in a certain lane, be sure to always check traffic and signal with your hands.

What Should You Wear?You should dress comfortably enough for the ride, but presentable enough for work. Are you finding it tough to balance these two? If your ride is short enough, you can dress for the ride and keep a change of clothes at the office. The key to for finding the appropriate attire for riding is to wear something that is both breathable and flexible - regardless of warm or cold commutes - yet tight enough that your clothing won’t get tangled in the gears or create increased drag.

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24 | Educate Your Employees

Bike HelmetsThe number one rule - before you even hop on the bike - is to wear a helmet. Wearing a properly fitting helmet that is certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can prevent 85 percent of cyclists’ head injuries, according to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute.

There are a ton of helmets on the market to choose from, but it’s important to consider its construction, fit, ventilation, and look before buying.

CONSTRUCTIONMost helmets in the store today are made with expanded polystyrene foam (like the stuff found in coolers) that is covered with a tough, thin plastic shell. These helmets are usually constructed in two different ways. The first being that the plastic shell is glued or taped to the foam; the second is where the pieces are molded together during the manufacturing process. The second option is the more expensive one, mainly because the molded helmets are lighter, have more ventilation, and are better looking.

Remember, EPS foam will only protect you if it hasn’t been previously crushed. That means you need to get a new helmet if you’ve been in an accident where the helmet has been damaged in any area.

FITTINGTo find out what size helmet you need, wrap a cloth tape measure around your head, just above your ears. Make sure that the tape is level and that it crosses your forehead about an inch above your eyebrows. Then, choose a helmet size based on this measurement.

Lower-priced helmets are often one size fits all. All you’ll need to do is adjust the internal strap to get the helmet snug and secured to your head.

Your helmet should be worn low, level, and snug, with the front of the helmet covering most of your forehead. A helmet that sits back too far on your head won’t protect you from impact with the ground. If you’re new at this, you might want to use a mirror as your guide.

After getting the helmet in the right position, connect the neck strap and tighten so that you’re barely able to fit a finger between the strap and your chin. The side straps should be adjusted that the point of the “V” sits just below your ears. Helmet straps tend to loosen, so make sure that you readjust the straps frequently.

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LOOK AND FEELThe look of your helmet is somewhat of small concern in the grand scheme of their existence, but it’s a way for riders to express themselves. Bright colors are a good idea if you plan on riding when the sun goes down, or if you want to be spotted from several dozen yards away. Sport helmets are common for recreational, commuter, road, and mountain bikers, but they are also popular with skateboarders and inline skaters. Road bike helmets are preferred by the roadie bike culture, mostly for their aerodynamic design. And lastly, mountain bike helmets are differentiated by their visors.

VENTILATIONHelmet vents allow for that cooling breeze to make it to your noggin, keeping you cooler and less sweaty when you reach your destination. Also, the more vents you have, the lighter the helmet will be.

Ideal Bikes for CommutingChoosing the right bike for your work commute will depend on your own tastes and on the distance, terrain, and surfaces that you’ll face on your way. Whatever you decide on, you’ll need a way to carry your belongings with you, so you may want to consider a rucksack or courier bag.

We decided to take a closer look at three commuter options, avoiding the common mountain bike since almost everyone is familiar with this option.

TOURERA touring bike is arguably the most practical bike for getting to and from the office. They make sense for many cyclists because they come with racks for carrying luggage, mudguards to keep road grime off your work clothes, and tougher tires than their roadster counterparts.

The seat position of a tourer is usually lower than a roadster, so vision of traffic is better. Tourers are great for longer rides, so you can also use them for riding in the park on the weekends or for endurance trips if you’re the adventuring type. One thing to consider is a lock, since these bikes look similar to race bikes and are more prone to theft.

PROS: Durable with lots of space for backpacks, luggage, and even groceries, but still fairly quick.

CONS: Not as quick as a race bike.

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ROADSTERRoadsters are the classics of the bike world. They are efficient at getting you from A to B, but are not as quick as race bikes, among others. This bike is simple and does best for short-range trips on flat land. Most roadsters come equipped with chain guards, flat pedals, dynamo lighting, and a lock.

The tires of roadsters aren’t as tough as those of a mountain bike, but they surely can take a beating - their width is usually somewhere around 35mm. Seat position is adequately upright so that you will have more of a commanding view of traffic, compared to tourers. The only downsides: they’re heavy and slower than other types of bikes, but there aren’t many with this much elegance.

PROS: Old school elegance meets practicality and strength.CONS: Just like a lot of old things, they’re heavy and slow.

FOLDERSBikes that fold are great for commuters that are traveling short distances and need to store their bike on the fly. The smallest of folding bikes will fit under desks, so you won’t have to worry about theft, junking up the office, or not having enough room on public transit.

Again, folders are for short commutes. They have small tires that might have you dropping into a pothole or two, but some of the more expensive ones have pretty advanced suspension systems.

PROS: Amazingly convenient for storing in the office or on public transit.

CONS: Not as stable or fast as big-wheeled bikes.

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27 | Educate Your Employees

Inspecting Your BikeInspections don’t take as long as you think, and it’s not a bad idea to check on the more important parts of the bike at least once a month. Checking your bike for the most common mechanical failures can save you from a crash that can result in something far more serious.

Follow these important steps:

Tires. Check your tires for any cracks or gouges in the rubber, and make sure they have the right amount of air. Also, check to be sure that the nuts that hold your wheels in place are secure.

Brakes. Squeeze your brake levers and see if the pads are hitting only the rims and not the tires.

Seat and Handle Bars. Check that both of these are tight and securely fastened, ensuring that each are the right height.

Chain and Gears. Lastly, you’ll want to check that the chain turns cleanly through each of the gears. If you hear slipping or grinding, you might want to take your bike to a local bike shop. You should also make sure that there isn’t excessive build up of grime and that there aren’t any areas that need lubrication.

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Page 28: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

PART FIVEInvest in the Right Site Furnishings

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29 | Invest in the Right Site Furnishings

Bike RacksEmployees want to be reassured that their bikes are secured and protected when stored at the office. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is to let them bring their bikes into the office. They can be stored in cubicles, leaned against a desk, or placed in a storage room or closet. Whatever you do, do not block exits that are needed for fire evacuations.

Investing in secure bicycle parking is a great way to show the community that you support the biking community and those who bike to work. Your options can include rooms that are exclusive to bike storage, locker rooms, and secure garage parking. Don’t have the space in office? You can install high-quality bike racks for employees and even visitors that come to your building. Visually, this is the best way to promote bicycle-friendliness within the city.

SINGLE SIDED TRADITIONAL RACKSThese traditional bike racks are an effective and durable solution for safe and secure bike storage, and is suitable for any type of climate or weather.

Upbeat Site Furnishings offers:20-year limited structural warranty with 7-year finish warrantyPowder coated steel is shielded for extreme rust-resistance

The outer frame is constructed of heavy-duty steel tubing with solid steel rods separating parked bikes. You get years of maintenance-free beauty and service, guaranteed. Highly stable design that features predrilled mounting tabs for easy surface mounting using your hardware. Optional hold down clamps are also available. Assembly required.

METRO RACKSTurn your site into a bike-friendly property with this classic bike rack, perfect when you need to store bikes and space is at a premium. Crafted from heavy-gauge steel with a conventional powder coated finish, it’s sure to be shielded and resistant against extreme rust. Bikes can be held inside the loops and also on each end.

Upbeat Site Furnishings offers:20-year limited structural warranty with 7-year finish warranty

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TRIAD RACKSThis bike rack features a solid steel triangular rack that offers a generous 7” space for easy bike parking. The frame is made from heavy-gauge steel for stability. Powder coated rack is protected by for extreme rust-resistance. Predrilled tabs allow surface mounting (hardware not included). Assembly required.

Upbeat Site Furnishings offers:20-year limited structural warranty with 7-year finish warrantyEight bike capacity

DOUBLE SIDEDThis rack is an ideal choice when you need dependable support and security for bikes yet have a limited budget. This freestanding design may be anchored to the ground to keep the rack in place and prevent vandalism. Traditional design is ideal for high traffic use. Constructed of rugged 14-gauge steel tubing. Assembly required.

Upbeat Site Furnishings offers:1 year warranty14 bike capacity

PLASTIC LUMBERThis 100% recycled plastic lumber bike rack gives you the warm look of wood without the maintenance hassle. The wide base design will not tip and allows access from both sides. Specially spaced slats accommodate a variety of bike locks. Assembly required.

Upbeat Site Furnishings offers:5-year warranty10 bike capacity

EUROPEAN Functional as well as decorative, this rack economically uses little space while still providing bike parking. All-welded steel bike rack occupies less than 14” when empty. Powder coated steel construction is protected with for extreme rust resistance. There are also predrilled tabs in base for surface mounting (hardware not included).

Upbeat Site Furnishings offers:20-year limited structural warranty with 7-year finish warranty8 bike capacityRust-resistant powder coat finish

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Security EquipmentThe best way to defend against bike thieves is to understand how they think. According to the University of California Irvine, the best method for stealing bikes is targeting areas where people aren’t likely to report the crime. Of course, the first step to protect against a stolen bike is to invest in a secure lock, but there are ways your workplace and employer can help keep thieves from even considering the idea.

SIMULATED CAMERASParking your bike in a well-lit area near security cameras (or feux security cameras) can greatly reduce its chance of being stolen. It also provides bike commuters with peace of mind knowing their bike is secure.

This camera is covered with a beige aluminum housing and clear front with heavy-duty die cast metal brackets. Capable of hanging with hinged back latch allows for convenient replacement of batteries. Operates on 2 “AA” cell batteries (not included for blinking light.)

ROUND DOME MIRRORSMirrors are the perfect solution to dangerous blind hallways and intersections and also discourage theft and vandalism.

This outdoor round convex mirror is constructed from shatterproof acrylic and offers a 160 degree view. Security mirror comes complete with a weather sealed backing, hanging hardware and a heavy-duty sealed rubber molding. Threaded mounting bolts are furnished on the backside of the mirror for attachment to your braces.

WARNING SURVEILLANCE SIGNSPlastic warning signs are also a great way to deter thieves from stealing bikes around your work campus.

This durable, high-impact styrene sign features UV-resistant inks that inhibit sun fading. It’s lightweight but strong, and this sign may be mounted to a standard channel post, or interior or exterior walls.

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CAMERA COMBO KITA network of cameras near office buildings and parking areas can greatly increase the chances of capturing a thief on video. Also, they can make your employees and visitors feel more secure, knowing that criminals are being watched.

Promote safety and security with this economical camera system. It includes a free standing DVR with H264 compression, 250 GB hard drive, internal software, USB port for back-up, four color cameras (mix and match your choice of four infrared security or dome cameras), four 50’ cables and adapters. Monitor sold separately.

Storage & LockersLockers are a great way for employees to store their clothes and personal belongings when they bike to work. Having a convenient storage system will make the office less cluttered and will keep employees happy, knowing that they have a place to store work clothes and other valuables during the week.

CLUB LOCKERSThese high-performance lockers will provide your office with sets of six lockers,

with locker doors 12” wide with metal hasp locks. Compartment size is 34 3/4” high x 10 1/2” wide and features a 5” deep shelf and a double prong ceiling hook. Locker includes a 4” high x 17” deep Black laminated base for a total of 76” height. Order the side panel when end of locker is exposed (sold separately).

Options include a combination lock, built-in key lock or electronic lock also available and can be factory installed when purchased at same time as locker. Assembly required.

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DEEP SINGLE TIER LOCKERSThe perfect solution for locker rooms and break rooms, these lockers are

constructed of 16-gauge powder coated steel for rust resistance. Ventilated doors reduce moisture and heat build-up inside the lockers. They features three single wall hooks, one double ceiling hook, and an adjustable hat shelf. Easy action, lift-up handle and recessed hasp can accommodate a built-in combination lock, key lock or padlock.

Optional built-in combination lock or built-in key lock is also available and can be factory installed when purchased at same time as locker. Optional sloping hood is also available to prevent stacking on top of the locker. Assembly required.

DECK BOXDeck boxes are perfect for multi-use storage for things like tools, equipment, or supplies for you biking commuters.

You could store things like:

Chain CheckersChain ToolsWrenchesFloor pump

Torx KeysTire LeversHex Keys

Made from 100% recycled plastic lumber, this deck box is virtually maintenance-free, Impervious to insects, and will not crack or split and is resistant to graffiti.

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Page 34: How-to Create a Bike-Friendly Workplace

PART SIX

Resources for Getting Started

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National Bike Programs & OrganizationsNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) In relation to cyclists, the NHTSA encourages all road users, including motorists and bicyclists, to respect each other and foster a safer transportation environment. Bicycles on the roadway are, by law, vehicles with the same rights, and responsibilities as motorized vehicles. NHTSA’s bicycle safety program focus is on research, education, and enforcement of bicyclists’ and motorists’ behavior to enhance roadway safety and reduce bicycle injuries and fatalities in our nation. More information at nhtsa.gov/bicycles.

The League of American Bicyclists The league represents cyclists in the movement to create safer roads and stronger communities, with the ultimate goal of a more bicycle-friendly America. They work to preserve the freedom of cycle through information, advocacy, and promotion. More information at bikeleague.org.

USA Cycling The USA cycling committee is responsible for identifying, training, and selecting cyclists to represent the US in international competition. The organization aims to ensure the ongoing safety and development of the sport in America. More information at usacycling.org.

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HOW-TO CREATE A BIKE-FRIENDLY

WORKPLACE

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