5 Ways Bicycle Commuting Benefits the Workplace & How to Make It Happen

Commuting by bicycle is on the rise in the United States [1], increasing the demand for better infrastructure and bike share programs. New York City, for instance, saw a 51% increase in bicycle commuters (approximately 30,206 commuters) from 2006-2011 [2]; while the country as a whole has witnessed a 62% increase [3]. Although many people are making the choice to bicycle to work, many others are discouraged by the logistics of getting to their destination with everything they need. Getting more people to commute by bicycle is not up to transportation engineers alone; though feeling safe on the road is crucial, the destination itself plays an important role. Businesses and workplaces can influence, and even promote, a person’s decision to commute by bike. Creating a workplace environment that accommodates and encourages bicycling can have tremendous benefits for employers and employees alike:

1. Safety in Numbers
   Outside of the workplace, a workforce of bicycle commuters can benefit the local community by getting more people out of their cars and on the streets, making cycling safer and more visible.
2. Exercise
   Bicycling is an excellent, low impact way to exercise—regular bicycling improves cardiovascular health, reduces stress, anxiety and the likelihood of getting sick.[4]
3. Reduced Sick Days & Insurance Costs
   Employers can benefit a more productive workforce with employees taking less sick days and having reduced health insurance costs thanks to the health benefits of bicycling. Furthermore, bicycle commuters are more likely to get to work on time and less likely to be absent when compared with car-commuters or public transit counterparts.[5]
4. Green Business
   For businesses looking to become more environmentally conscious, having a workforce that bikes to work significantly shrinks the company’s carbon footprint!
5. More Room!
   If there are less people driving to work, there is also a decrease in space needed at the office—potentially freeing up parking for more customers or cutting the costs of employee parking.

So how can a workplace become more bicycle-commuter-friendly?
The following elements can be added to any workplace to improve its bikability:

BICYCLE PARKING

Adequate parking spaces for bicycles is one of the simplest ways a workplace can improve its bike friendliness. This can be done outside with various types of racks or in a designated space within the building—just make sure that if your business is located in a climate prone to rain or snow that you have adequate coverage! Oftentimes, it is possible to contact your local municipality and request bike racks in your area. For a more comprehensive guide on bicycle parking, here is Transportation Alternatives’ Bicycle Parking Solutions Resource Guide or one of our own articles on bicycle parking.

 

PERSONAL CARE

Bicycling to work inevitably leads to sweating, regardless of the season—having some sort of place for your employees to change and clean-up will greatly enhance their commuting experience and make them more likely to come to work on two wheels. While the best practice would be to install showers and locker rooms, if it’s not currently in the budget, just having a space to change and freshen up is a step in the right direction. Workplaces can look at nearby fitness centers and offer discounts to employees so they can use use their showers.

LOCKERS

Storage for personal items is another concern for employees commuting by bicycle. Providing lockers makes it easier for employees to have a change of clothes, an emergency rain coat and personal care items without having to carrying them back and forth.

 

FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENTS

Give financial benefits for bicycling, such as one set forth by the Bike Commuter Act of 2008. This act enables employers to provide their employees with up to $20 tax-free for bicycle-related expenses each month. For more information about the Bike Commuter Act, check out the League of American Bicyclists’ guide at: https://www.bikeleague.org/content/bicycle-commuter-benefit .

INFORMATION/BICYCLE CARE

Workplaces can actively promote bicycling to work with lunch-in workshops on bicycle maintenance and providing basic tune-up equipment. This could be as simple as a pump and a set of Allen keys to having spare tubes and wrenches available—these tools generally don’t take up much space, so they can easily be stored in a closet. Employers can also actively promote events such as national bike month (May) or National Bike to Work Day (May 17^th).

 

Picture Sources:

[1] https://www.sfmta.com/about-sfmta/blog/our-newest-bike-corral-work-art

[2] https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/4d/cd/12/4dcd126e24dcfdb55455e60882f2607b.jpg

[3] https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/3e/26/cf/3e26cfd2d1bffb66b536fc9b215efd22.jpg

Sources:

[1] https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-86.html

[2] https://www.upbeat.com/DocumentDB/Bike-Friendly-Workplace-Ebook.pdf

[3] https://www.bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/Bike_Commuting_Growth_2015_final.pdf

[4] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/cycling-health-benefits

[5] https://road.cc/content/news/215010-cycle-commuters-most-likely-get-work-%E2%80%98-time-and-ready-go%E2%80%99