Corporate Commute Workshops
SVBC will come to your workplace or community group to teach a one-hour workshop covering the rules of the road, the gear, the route, the ride, and arrival. This is a great introductory workshop for people who are new to bicycling or interested in learning more about how to enjoy safe and comfortable bike commuting in all seasons. Experienced commuters are encouraged to come and share their tips with fellow riders and, hopefully, walk away with new knowledge as well.
Topics covered at the workshop include:• Basics of riding – laws, traffic signals and signs, and how to negotiate bike lanes, bike boxes, tracks, and sidewalks
• Skills – hand signals, turning, sharing the lane, and changing lanes
• Choosing gear – bikes, helmets, lights, locks, accessories, cold and rain gear, carrying kids and cargo
• Route planning – resources and taking bicycles on transit
• Q&A – answers to questions from new or experienced riders
We also host seasonal workshops with a special focus on gear options and riding skills for being safe and comfortable riding at night, in the rain, and in other fall and winter conditions.
To find out more or to schedule a workshop, please fill out our Corporate Commute Workshop Request Form.
Also see our Bicycle Classes list.
Resources for Employers
Why promote bicycle commuting?
Riding a bike raises productivity: Exercising before work raises an employee’s productivity by an average of 15%.
Bike commuting will reduce health care costs: Cyclists on average live two years longer than non-cyclists and take 15% fewer days off work through illness.
Studies show bike-friendliness helps attract and retain your workforce.
Bike to Work Basics
Find a bike champion in your organization and let us know who this person is and we will loop them in.
Host an Energizer Station on Bike to Wherever Day.
Display BTWD posters around your workplace. Check back soon for 2014 posters.
Best Practices for Encouraging Biking to Work EverydayHere are some of the things you can do year-round to make your employees’ commutes healthy and fun!
Ready your Workplace. Showers, secure bike parking, and a casual atmosphere (okay to walk around in shorts or bike clothes before/after a ride) go a long way to ensuring that people feel comfortable riding to and from work. Facebook, for example, offers an on-site bike workshop with tools, bike stands, etc. for employees to do needed maintenance.
Lead by Example. When CEOs or Vice Presidents arrive by bike, other employees realize it is okay to arrive casual and even a little sweaty.
Offer Pre-Tax Benefits. In 2009, the Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit (IRS Tax Code Section 132(f)) was expanded to allow bicycle commuters to receive $20.00 per month as a subsidy to pay for the cost of commuting via bicycle. This includes the cost of bicycles, bicycling equipment and accessories, and storage unit costs. Make sure your company offers this benefit in addition to other commute-related tax incentives for employees.
Subsidize the Ride. Some companies go beyond pre-tax financial benefits, defraying the cost of bike gear and maintenance.
Provide Health-Related Benefits. Be sure that health-related benefits extend to bicycling as well. Companies like Microsoft offer cash health-related benefits, such as paying for gym memberships, but allow that funding to go for bicycling supplies as well. Fairchild Semiconductor is working to incorporate biking into its wellness program where employees get points for activities.
Offer Bike-Sharing.
Many companies encourage cycling on campus through bike-share systems that allow employees to bike between buildings, making trips fast and easy without cars. Additionally, the Counties of Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Francisco have implemented a regional public bike-share program that can also provide a last-mile solution for companies near certain Caltrain stations, including San Jose Diridon, Mountain View, and Palo Alto.
Facilitate Training and Resource Sharing. Offer a bicycle commuter lunchtime workshop to go over safety and commute tips. SVBC would be happy to discuss hosting a bicycle commuting workshop with you.
Organize Outings. Whether it is informal lunchtime outings like those at Intermolecular and Space Systems/Loral or weekend mountain biking excursions, organizing group biking activities can get employees more comfortable on bikes and promote a bike-friendly office culture.
Provide the Emergency Ride Home. Many people avoid biking or other alternative commute methods because they fear they will be stuck in case of an emergency or bike failure. Amgen has gotten around this by providing taxi vouchers in case employees get stranded due to unfixable tire failure or other mechanical difficulty.
Consider Parking Cash Out. Many employers with more than 50 employees are required by CA law to offer employees the option of giving up their free parking space in exchange for cash—see http://www.arb.ca.gov/planning/tsaq/cashout/cashout.htm. Genentech offers this benefit to employees who leave their cars at home, whether commuting via bike, transit, carpool, or a combination of these!
Advocate for More and Safer Cycling. Some companies also engage in bicycle advocacy to foster participation in cycling as well as make our roads safer through more community engagement.
Choose your Location Strategically. When considering new or expanded facilities, picking a location convenient and safe for biking is critical for engaging broad ridership. Being near a trail, bike lanes, bike boulevards, and/or bike-friendly transit makes a huge difference, especially for less experienced cyclists.
Be a Leader during Bike Month and Bike to Wherever Day. May is a key time to introduce employees to cycling. Many member companies sponsor Bike to Work Day and/or participate in the Company Bike Challenge.
Above all else, it’s all about having fun, so throw a Bike to Wherever Day party. What better way for a company to show support than to reward their bike riding employees with a complimentary breakfast and/or lunch or hosting a raffle with prizes?