Bike To Work Week: 5 Ways To Support Bike Commuters

What makes a bike commute easier? Certainly the condition of the roads and the layout of a city or town make a world of difference. But how an office supports cyclists may be just as important. In fact, according to at least one New York City bicycle survey, conducted by the Department of City Planning, a lack of adequate resources for bike commuters was the number one reason why respondents didn't regularly bike to work.

Not only is biking to work an environmentally friendly alternative to driving and taking public transport, it's a great cardiovascular and cross-training workout. And research shows that communities with a relatively high rate of bike commuters are wealthier, more diverse, more educated and -- believe it or not -- happier.

Read on for some of the top amenities offices are offering to help employees get moving on their bikes. Does your office provide you with any of these? Which one would you like most? Tell us in the comments!

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• Good Storage

  Having a safe, dry place to store a bike is a very important issue to commuters. In fact, <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/transportation/bike_survey.pdf" target="_hplink">according</a> to the New York Bike Survey, 51 percent of non-commuters said that not having a good storage space at work was <em>the</em> most important factor in their decision not to bike. <br><br> Bike storage can take many forms -- including an interior bikes-only room, bicycle lockers, space in a car garage, or even a designated space within the office. <br><br> Not only do many employers now offer bike storage, many city ordinances, in places like <a href="http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/engineering/parking.cfm" target="_hplink">Palo Alto</a> and <a href="http://www.bikeplan.com/sc-ord.htm" target="_hplink">Santa Cruz</a>, mandate that they do so.

• Locker Rooms

  Showing up to work, rain or shine, takes on a great deal more meaning without a car roof overhead. Many commuters will want to towel off, change their clothes and maybe even shower after a long ride in. <br><br> Offering facilities for cleaning up post-commute are appreciated. In fact, according to the New York Bike Survey, 31 percent of non-commuters said a lack of shower and changing facilities kept them off their bikes.

• Bikes To Borrow

  It's one thing to support bike commuters on their own bikes, but for potential-riders who live too far away to make cycling sensible, daily errands and lunch excursions are good opportunities for two-wheeled travel. <br><br> Companies <a href="http://www.sfbike.org/main/san-francisco%E2%80%99s-best-workplaces-for-people-who-bike/" target="_hplink">like Atlassian</a> and (who you calling biased?) AOL offer office-owned bikes to help employees zip around during work hours.

• Incentives

  Many companies offer tax-free public transportation passes or partial gas reimbursement, but what about cyclists? Firms that offer financial incentives may find more employees will hit the road atop two wheels. <br><br> Other incentives can include: free bike kits, accessories or lessons, like those <a href="http://www.sfbike.org/main/san-francisco%E2%80%99s-best-workplaces-for-people-who-bike/" target="_hplink">offered at Rackspace</a>

• Repairing Resources

  A flat tire is a nuisance for anyone, but a cyclist can't exactly call AAA. Offices that stock up on tire tubes, wrenches and other useful supplies can greatly improve the lives of their bike commuters. <br><br> Or, <a href="http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/bicycling.html" target="_hplink">like MIT</a>, they can go above and beyond and have actual tune-ups and repairs in-house.

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Comments

[remarks208]

11:26 AM on 05/17/2012

How about all these bikers get together and ask the local and state authorities to require their bicycles be registered, be required to have the same safety equipment as motorcycles and pay a per mile tax equal to the average per mile tax motor vehicles are assessed (through fuel taxes). Then they can have a real reason (not a good one) to be annoying motorists as they pedal along at 4 mph 4 and 5 abreast, ignoring traffic laws, stop signs,traffic lights and one way signs....pretending they are Lance Armstrong.

Heck... they can even demand all the taxes and registration fees be designated to build their bike paths, bike lanes and whatever other things they constantly demand... but any bets that not one would be willing to do it...let alone enough to make an impression among their peers.

[J P McMahon]

11:44 AM on 05/17/2012

As a "biker", I tender a heartfelt apology for the 5 second delay that you encountered on the way to the incredibly important things that you have to do because of some selfish cyclist. I also apologize for the intense feelings of jealousy you must feel every time you see a fit, happy cyclist reveling in the freedom they are enjoying. The fact that it is costing them nothing to make their trip while you have to spend a pile of money to burn carbon based fuels must also make you feel sad. I look forward to your next post where you will argue that people who use public parks and libraries should have to pay a surcharge for them too.

[sabelmouse]

12:50 PM on 05/17/2012

i bet s/he will.

[podurk]

02:17 PM on 05/17/2012

I don't necessarily mind the delay except for a few instances. One is when there is a bike path and the cyclists aren't using it because they can't go four or five abreast. Other times I think those with expensive clothing and bikes just refuse to use the same path as the hoi paloi. Another time is when I wait for the opportunity to get past the bikers, only to watch them pass me as I wait at a traffic signal - which is the only time they go single file.

A lot of people would be much more considerate in following the rules of the road as it applies to sharing the road with cyclists if the cyclists would follow the rules of the road as they apply to them.

[dccb3]

04:44 PM on 05/17/2012

Nah...thanks for the suggestion though

[remarks208]

05:38 PM on 05/17/2012

Yeah... why pay when you can leech? right? Let me guess, you're a liberal, too?

[Azlegit]

11:23 AM on 05/17/2012

This is all good for the environment and traffic and hopefully the workplace provides showers!

[geddy lee is a god]

11:11 AM on 05/17/2012

My city is very bike friendly in general, and many companies and organizations offer bike mentoring programs. For some reason though, I do not bike to work. I either take the water taxi and use the free shuttle, or I'll catch the bus.

I have no phobias or personal issues with biking (I own one); I just prefer public transportation.

But good for the cities and communities that embrace biking. It is indeed integrated in the healthy lifestyle of my area.

[rlysiywgtf]

10:44 AM on 05/17/2012

Biking is a wonderful sport and more people should get involved in it, in fact just 2 years ago I weighed in at 215lbs and now thank to cycling and a healthy diet I now weigh 165lbs,anyone who puts their mind to it can ride a bike. But please go to your local bike shop to get the correct bike for you and what you want to achieve wile riding. Plus it it a great way to enjoy the great outdoors and bringing your family closer together on a nice long ride of 50,60 or 100 miles in a day.

[remarks208]

11:29 AM on 05/17/2012

Don't forget the pure joy bicyclists garner by annoying and hindering hundreds of the motorists whose fuel taxes paid for the roads the bicyclists use every time they saunter out to pretend they are Lance Armstrong.

[rlysiywgtf]

12:46 PM on 05/17/2012

We all have a right to use the roads I pay taxes on them too, and by the sound of your response you need to get a life.

[Forever Jung]

02:12 PM on 05/17/2012

Let me guess...your daddy never bought you that shiny red bike you wanted when you were 6. Or...you're compensating for something with your car; your driving experience seems easily threatened even by smaller vehicles.

[Kenz300]

10:03 AM on 05/17/2012

Too bad Republicans want to end support for bicycle and walking paths.

They only support big oil reliance on autos.

[BRETT3066]

11:12 AM on 05/17/2012

stupid comment.

[Azlegit]

11:22 AM on 05/17/2012

So where did you get your misinformation??

[Tim Kunk]

09:44 AM on 05/17/2012

At the time of this posting there was only one other post on this subject. and it was 18 hrs old. does that show the interest in national bike to work week. I for one didn't read this storie other then to write this snarky post.

[Janet Michaels]

03:30 PM on 05/16/2012

You may not be able to call AAA for a bike repair, but if you belong to Better World Club instead, they do offer bike support!

[J P McMahon]

11:16 AM on 05/17/2012

Janet, As an avid cyclist, I have stopped many times and changed a tire or done a repair for a stranded cyclist, and have had the same offered to me. It is very important to have an extra tube, a pump or CO2 cartridge, and a micro tool when you ride further away from your house than you can walk. You also have to know how to use them, and any bike shop (not Target or WalMart!) will be glad to show you. Short of a wreck, there are very few repairs that can't be accomplished by a commuting cyclist.

[Janet Michaels]

11:45 AM on 05/17/2012

Oh I totally agree. I carry everything I need, but I'm a belt-and-suspenders type. :)

[remarks208]

11:38 AM on 05/17/2012

Gee... the "AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION of AMERICA" does not respond to repair kids toys broken down ont he side of the road.... wah wah, boo hoo....

What part of the word "AUTOMOBILE" do bicyclists not know the meaning of?

[Edwin Keever Jr]

07:01 PM on 05/17/2012

A bicycle is not a kids toy. Crying about it is not going to change that.