Employer Recognition Program for Cyclists and Walkers

Visit our website at http://www.mycommuterchallenge.org/ to see our current campaign. It's being used in various forms in both the Twin Cities and throughout the state.

Sarah Lenz
Public Transit Coordinator
Minnesota Department of Transportation
United States

Hi Megan,
SNAP has not been directly involved with companies encouraging biking but there is an organization in the Vancouver area that is very active in this respect. The organization is the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition: http://www.vacc.bc.ca/. They have a very successful bike to work program that you might want to contact them about: http://www.biketoworkmetrovan.ca/.
Good luck with your project!
Celina Starnes

Green Timbers
Program Coordinator
SNAP Surrey's Natural Areas Partnership
Canada

Hi Megan,

Here are some resources to consider.

1. The (US) federal law (HR1424, from 2008) that has created a financial incentive for employers across the US to support bike-commuting employees: http://www.commuteconnection.com/assets/pdf/Bicycle%20Commuter%20Federal%20Benefit.pdf

2. A national (US) challenge to get active on both individual and group scales: http://www.presidentschallenge.org/

3. An example of a friendly competition sponsored by an air quality management district for employers throughout the district to improve air quality & employee health: http://www.greatraceforcleanair.com/

4. Another example of an across-the-board competition for Bike to Work Day: http://www.youcanbikethere.com/

Thanks for the question.


Zac Appleton
Project Officer
US EPA Region 9
United States

Thanks both to Sarah and Celina! While these are both very helpful, I would still like to know of any employer sponsored programs.

Boston has a great system of Transportation Management Associations to provide a cyclists / walkers / mass transit recognition program, and they charge for this, which is a barrier for involvement.

Plus, we rely on the respective HR departments communicating the program on a routine basis to all the employees.

I have heard rumors of employers designing incentive packages that go as far as paying employees not to use a parking spot, which is really interesting.

Megan Ramey
Sustainability Coordinator
A Better City
United States
www.challengeforsustainability.org

Here are additional employer incentives links:

1. Follow the link to the California's cash-out parking law - http://www.youcanbikethere.com/content/how-promote-bicycle-commuting

2. Amgen subsidizes employees to $75/mo to bike to work. - http://bikesiliconvalley.org/btwd/employers

3. (Dated) examples for Yahoo, City of Palo Alto, Google - http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/11650/1/New-Benefit-Bike-Commuters-Get-Reimbursement-Incentives-in-Financial-Rescue-Bill/Page1.html#

Zac Appleton
US EPA Region 9

When I worked for the Deparment of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in Western Australia about 3 years ago, if you rode to work you were allowed to work 15 minutes less a day for the same pay. I am not sure if it was part of our award or whether we had a very reasonable boss.

Amanda  Jobson
Environmental Policy Officer
NRETAS
Australia

Green Travel Action
Council provides incentives for staff that green travel for at least 20% of their commute. Those staff who have fleet vehicles can take a Green Travel Day and leave their car at home once a week and green travel to work. To make it easier to green travel, an online rideshare database is available to find rideshare matches. Interest free loans of up to $1000 are offered to staff to purchase a bike or MetCard. Work related journeys are also supported by Council, MetCards and electric bikes have been purchased for this purpose.
Check out the community website at http://www.goingplaces.darebin.vic.gov.au/.

For more information on our internal staff Green Travel Program email Che Sutherland our Sustainable Transport Officer on Che.Sutherland@darebin.vic.gov.au

Rebecca Petit
Environmental Education Coordinator
Darebin City Council
Australia

Amanda and Rebecca, great incentives, thank-you!

Zac, I especially liked the Bike Silicon Valley website with tips to encourage biking to work. And thanks for the cash out parking link!

Megan Ramey
Sustainability Coordinator
A Better City
United States
www.challengeforsustainability.org

I used to work at University of Edinburgh. They had a program of interest free loans of up to 500 UK pounds for bikes and equipment, which they then took out of your pay. I think it was a notional scheme though.

This is what they have now:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/transport/cycling/getting-a-bike/bicyclesplus

Luke Reade
Director
Energetic Communities
Australia
www.energeticcommunities.org.au

Hi Megan

The City of Subiaco (Perth Western Australia) pays staff $9 per day after tax to not drive a car to work.

The contact is cathyg@subiaco.wa.gov.au and I'm sure she is happy to discuss this successful initiative . Council staff receive a car bay automatically in their employment package though several years ago it was decided that it made economic sense to allow staff to forfeit their car bay.

This allows shoppers to use these bays during the day providing the Council with parking revenue. I have a presentation showing the positive effects on staff travel mode choice if you email me.

The City of Swan (Western Australia) also pays $10 per day for staff not to drive to work.

Also I ran SMARTi (Smarter Mobility Achieving Reduced Traffic initiative) at Canning Bridge where staff received bikes and public transport tickets in exchange for committing to active travel commuting 3 days a week.

Thanks, Leon

Leon  Ebbelaar
TravelSmart
City of Melville
Australia