This document outlines strategies for creating bike-friendly workplaces through programs and incentives. It discusses common barriers to bike commuting and motivators that encourage it. Examples are provided of leading bike-friendly companies and their best practices, including Seattle Children's Hospital, the University of Washington, Starbucks HQ, and Microsoft. Cascade Bicycle Club is also profiled for achieving a 56% bike commute rate among staff through casual policies, cash incentives, and commute awards. The document encourages employers to identify gaps, establish goals, get creative with ideas, and consider parking disincentives to promote bike commuting.

1. How to create bike-friendly
workplaces through programs
and incentives

2. Workshop agenda
o Introduction
o Presentation: encouragement best
practices at leading bike-friendly
workplaces
o Small breakout sessions

3. Goals for this session
o Provide menu of proven bike
encouragement ideas for every budget,
organization size, setting
o Provide resources and implementation tips
o Networking and peer-to-peer sharing

4. Barriers to bike commuting
o Topography
o Weather
o Distance
o Safety
o Lack of knowledge
o Lack of access to a bike
o No disincentive to drive

5. What makes people want to
commute by bike?
o Health
o Convenience
o Cost
o Fun
o Cameraderie
o Safety
o Disincentive to take other modes

6. Sources: The Seattle Times, KUOW

7. Strategies to reduce barriers
o In/direct incentives
o Education/resources
o Peer support
oCasual workplace policies
oCommunications + promotions

8. Bike friendly workplace profiles

9. Case study: Seattle Children’s
Urban, large, for-profit
5,000 staff at main campus
8% mode split
Images courtesy Seattle Children’s

10. Education and resources
Case study: Seattle Children’s
Photo courtesy Seattle Children’s

11. Company bike program
Case study: Seattle Children’s
Photo courtesy Seattle Children’s

12. Case study: Seattle Children’s
Promotion and messaging
Image courtesy Seattle Children’s

13. Case study: Seattle Children’s
Incentives
Image courtesy Seattle Children’s

14. Case study: Seattle Children’s
Community engagement
Photos courtesy Seattle Bike Blog and geekwire.com
Burke Gilman trail connection Pronto Cycle Share

15. Case study: Seattle Children’s
Results
8% bike mode split
Over 50% of bike commuters
are women

16. Case study: University of
Washington
Urban, large, government
70,000 staff/students, many buildings
Image courtesy of University of Washington

17. Case study: University of
Washington
oPromotions and campaigns
oCommute Concierge
program: personalized
commute planning service
Image courtesy of University of Washington

18. Case study: University of
Washington
One of the most bike friendly
universities in the country
8% mode split
Results

19. Case study: Starbucks HQ
Urban, large, for-profit
3,500 employees, one building
Photo courtesy of Seattle PI

20. Case study: Starbucks HQ
● Very active internal bike club
● Bi-weekly tune-up/education classes
● Free gym membership and wellness benefits
● Transit subsidies
● Community engagement in SODO Business
Improvement Association

21. Case study: Starbucks HQ
3% mode split
Growing bicycling culture
Results

22. Suburban, large, for-profit
40,000 employees, 79 buildings
3.75% bike mode split
Case study: Microsoft

23. Supporting bicycling through multimodal
options
Case study: Microsoft

24. Bike Month
Case study: Microsoft

25. Messaging
o Targeted emails
o Print posters
o Intranet announcements
o Social media promotion
o Internal bike listserv
Case study: Microsoft

26. Case study: Microsoft
Other perks and incentives
o Up to $240/year reimbursement for bicycling purchases,
and $800 for wellness purchases, which include
bicycling expenses
o Discounts at local bike shops (+ an onsite bike shop)
o Free onsite bike classes on range of topics
o Personalized route-planning assistance

27. Case study: Microsoft
Results: 3.75% mode split

28. Case study:
Cascade Bicycle Club
Urban, small, non-profit
38 staff, office within a building

29. Case study:
Cascade Bicycle Club
Strategies Result: 56%mode split
oCasual workplace attire
oCash incentives
oMonthly awards for staff
with highest, most
improved commute rate

30. Takeaways
o Many different options
o Do your homework: identify gaps in your programming,
establish baselines, set goals
o Success breeds success
o Get creative
o Don’t overlook parking disincentives!

31. Thank you!
Mary Collins
Cascade Bicycle Club
MaryC@cascade.org

32. Breakout groups