Humana Contact:
Nate Kvamme
Director
Innovation Center – Integrated Consumer Experience

Humana’s Mission

Humana Inc. is one of the nation’s largest publicly traded health benefits companies, with approximately 11.3 million medical members.  Humana offers health insurance products and related services to employer groups, government-sponsored plans, and individuals.  For more information about Humana Inc., visit www.humana.com.

Wellness Philosophy

Over its 46-year history, Humana has seized opportunities to meet changing customer needs. Today, the company is a leader in consumer engagement, providing guidance that leads to lower costs and a better health plan experience throughout its diversified customer portfolio.
“Humana is leading by example in promoting environmental conservation, sustainability, and health by encouraging our associates to increase their physical activity and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Grant Harrison, vice president of Humana’s Integrated Consumer Experience. “Freewheelin is about freedom. You can express yourself in a new and healthy way while helping your health and the environment.”

Project Description

In September 2007, Humana launched a first-of-its-kind bicycle program for its 8,500 associates in Louisville.  The program – called Freewheelin – encourages Humana associates to incorporate healthy habits and activities into their daily routines.  Whether it’s riding a bike to meetings, to work, or to lunch, the program is about being healthier and “greener” in everyday life.

The program has “cruiser style” three-speed bikes with automatic shifters and “commuter-style” bikes designed for longer treks, such as for commuting or lunchtime recreational rides. The system uses Trek’s Lime bikes — top-of-the-line, safe, and easy to use.

With safety is a top priority, helmets are provided for every biker, many of them generously donated by and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson’s Healthy Hometown program.  Freewheelin incorporates working partnerships across the private sector, public sector, and the biking industry.  Humana, the City of Louisville, and Trek hope to inspire other communities to put together similar programs to improve America’s health and environment. Freewheelin is being piloted in Louisville and will be evaluated for expansion to other Humana locations.

Humana, which employs 25,000 people nationwide, partnered with Trek Bicycles and Louisville mayor Jerry Abramson to bring the $70,000 program to life.  Local bike shop Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling provides bike education and maintains the bikes.   Employees swipe their ID card to check out a Trek Lime bike from several different loan stations, CycleStations, designed by Canadian firm QI Systems, Inc which are powered by solar panels mounted on the bike racks.

Humana provides employees a magnetic access card to check out the bikes as well as a helmet. CycleStation secures the bikes with a unique locking mechanism that verifies vehicle location, checks the unit in and out, and bills for usage.  And CycleStation collects data such as distance traveled per trip, how long the bike was checked out, what it was used for and the demographics of the rider.  Humana’s operations are scattered among a number of downtown buildings, and employees frequently use the bikes to travel between them, to ride to lunch or just take cruise around on their break for some exercise.

Program Results

• 12 percent of those who participated said it was their first time on a bike
• 50 percent said they want to introduce activity into their work day
• 76 percent of rides are taken during a work break
• 40 percent of bikes are taken home during the weekend

In addition, Humana found that more women than men signed up for the program.  The organization plans to add more bikes and bike stations and sees Freewheelin’ as a “real opportunity” because it touches on things people care about—their health score and their carbon score.

Special Considerations

The accountability that is in place with employees using their identification cards counters what has sunk other bike lending programs, i.e., people not taking care of or not returning bikes.  Before credit card swipes were available to check out bikes in municipal programs in Paris or Amersterdam, loss of and damage to the bikes was too common to make the programs viable.

Dollars raised by people willing to exercise for a good cause grew 12.1 percent in 2007 and are expected to grow at a similar rate in 2008, according to the Run Walk Ride. Benefit bicycle rides are great group rides and they support a good cause.  Some events require a registration fee and collection of pledges and others charge a registration fee and donate a portion of their proceeds. Some rides attract several hundred riders or more. It’s a great opportunity for co-workers, families, friends and cycling enthusiasts to get together and cycle.

Company Sponsorship of Benefit Rides

Companies and organizations can sponsor or host an event.  Some companies offer matching gift programs for contributions made by employees. Other organizations support a workplace bicycle team and provide a time and place to meet as well as funding for training and participation.

Bicycle Safety is a Priority

The safety of all riders participating in a benefit ride is extremely critical to the sponsoring organizations as well as to the organization the benefit ride supports. To keep the ride a safe and enjoyable experience, bicycle riders must be prepared for the event; training can start months in advance of the ride.

In 2006, the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) partnered with the National MS Society to launch a group riding curriculum specifically to train ride leaders and participants in group-riding-specific skills. The program led to an increase in safety awareness among bike benefit ride participants and an annual decrease in rider-related medical transports. Visit the LAB site at www.bikeleague.org.

At a minimum, benefit cyclists must be familiar with the rules of the road, practice group riding, break in any new gear like clothes, shoes, and helmets, wear a helmet AT ALL TIMES, yield to other riders as they try to pass, ride friendly and respect the communities that you ride through.

To get started!

Assess your current fitness level and create a training plan that fits with your schedule. Start slowly and gradually increase your mileage. A good rule to follow is to increase by no more than 10 percent each week. Whether you’ve chosen a 25, 50 or 100-mile course, train on the bike you’ll be using for the event.

The Bike MS Express Scripts Gateway Getaway Ride 2008-Missouri

This ride event offers safe cycling programs to riders for physical, mental and technical training.  Organizers provide a series of training rides and a Cycle University available at local sponsoring bike shops to learn from bike shop personnel about bike maintenance, safety, rules of the road and a variety of other topics to help participants ride safely.

The group also has a Safety Certified quiz to ensure that participating cyclists know the rules of the road and are prepared to cycle safely. Cyclists receive a Safety Certified sticker to attach to their bib number at the ride. The team with the highest percentage of riders Safety Certified receives the Team Safety Award at the Awards Party.  For further information on this program visit their website at: http://bikemos.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=BIKE_MOS_ CyclingSafety

The Monsanto Mavericks Cycling Team

The team is comprised of Monsanto employees, their families, and their friends with representation from nearly every functional department within the company. Monsanto organizes teams in conjunction with multiple MS150 Bike Tours sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS). They have teams across the nation (Saint Louis, California, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Canada). The MS150 Bike Tour is an annual fundraising event held in many parts of the United States. We are Mavericks Saint Louis, Mavericks West, Mavericks Augusta, Mavericks Mystic, others… Visit their website at:  www.monsantomavericks.org/2008MS150/home_2008.htm to see how this company organizes and trains their cycling teams.

While the reasons for having employees cycle for work are varied, it’s clear that simply knowing how to ride a bike is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely and legally.

Bikes are very versatile and can be used in heavily congested areas or in urban areas but can easily be relocated to remote areas by vehicle transport. Bikes are quiet, cost efficient, and amazingly effective. Mountain bikes have proven effective in a number of different environments; they are swift and agile in busy urban areas where traffic snarls and crowds delay motorized units. Bikes are also effective in less urban areas for park patrol, parking lots, campus areas, residential areas, and for business security, athletic or civic events, and specialized details. They can be operated on streets, sidewalks, alleys, trails, and in any areas that are difficult to access with motor vehicles.

Bicycle safety training should include:  proper handling of common roadway conditions as well as emergency skills and how to deal with motorist error. Effective training should also cover:  proper turning, cornering, descending and climbing principles along with roadway and speed positioning. Bad weather and night riding should also be highlighted along with vehicle laws and proper roadway etiquette.

Resource for Cycling at Work

International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA)

IPMBA is a non-profit educational organization providing resources, networking opportunities, and complete training for public safety bicyclists. Since the founding of the organization in 1991, IPMBA’s instructors have provided training to over 20,000 police officers, EMS personnel and security officers on bikes. The curriculum, designed and delivered by police officers and bike medics, is nationally and internationally respected.
www.ipmba.org

The Complete Guide to Public Safety Cycling, Second Edition, IPMBA

The guide is a comprehensive source of in-depth information on starting a bike unit or enhancing an established bike unit with tactical and technical tips on everything from basic equipment needs to detailed insights on policy, maintenance, training, legal issues, and much more.
www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763744336/

Law Enforcement Bicycle Association (LEBA)

LEBA is an 501(c)3 nonprofit bicycle training company founded in 1989 exists to further the training, education, professionalism and unity of police bicycle patrol officers. The organization trains nearly 1,000 officers annually.  To attend a LEBA Instructor Course, you must be a sworn Law Enforcement Officer or Military and must have successfully completed a Basic A course, and be recommended by your instructor.
www.leba.org

League of American Bicyclists (LAB)

LAB has League Cycling Instructors (LCI) certified to teach their BikeEd curriculum to children as well as adults.  LCIs offer courses to suit the needs of any cyclist. Certified, insured and equipped to teach anything from basic skills to college level courses, LCIs are the experts in bicycle education and safety. Courses offered include: Road I, Road II, Commuting, Motorist Ed, Kids I and Kids II.

LCI’s can also offer modified versions of these courses and design bike rodeos and provide general safety consulting.
www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/index.php

An award of platinum, gold, silver or bronze status is designated for two years. In 2007, Austin, Texas was one of only 12 cities awarded the silver status. Of the 64 cities that have received a BFC status, only 8 cities have been awarded a status higher than silver. Below is a complete Bicycle Friendly Community listing. The populations of each city have also been included, so cities with similar populations can be compared.

Communities that are bicycle-friendly are seen as places with a high quality of life. This often translates into increased property values, business growth and increased tourism.  Bicycle-friendly communities are places where people feel safe and comfortable riding their bikes for fun, fitness, and transportation. With more people bicycling, communities experience reduced traffic demands, improved air quality and greater physical fitness. To learn how to make your community more bicycle-friendly, visit, www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/index.htm

If you feel that your community has taken significant steps to be bicycle-friendly, submit an initial application to the LAB for review.

2007 Bicycle Friendly Communities

http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/communities/bfc_master_list_jan_08.pdf

Many communities participate in Bike to Work Week and Bike to Work Day with a variety of events encouraging commuters to use pedal power to get to work.  Find out what is happening in your community and how you can get your organization involved.  This is also an excellent time to launch new initiatives at your place of business.

Surveys conducted by communities have reported that nearly 40 percent of those who participated in Bike to Work Week event were first time cycling commuters and of those, 32 percent have continued to bike to work since the event.

Below are several nationally observed events that you can build on or use to launch a Bicycle Safety Program within your organization.

• National Bike Month – Observed in May, this awareness month is designated by the League of American Bicyclists and recognized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The campaign includes fact sheets, a poster, and PSAs that can be used in the workplace.  To access the materials, visit www.bikemonth.com.
• Bike to Work Week (BTWW) or Bike to Work Day (BTWD) – This week or day is hosted in partnership with the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) and local cycling organizations, civic organizations and employers across the country.  Visit www.bikeleague.org to see what is being planned in your location and to download the LAB’s Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Successful National Bike Month at www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/pdf/2008_bmok.pdf.
• Drive Safely Work Week is sponsored by the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) each year during the first full week in October.  Observed by employers and organizations nationwide, the campaign helps employers promote safe driving practices within their place of business and keep the nation’s roadways safe for all roadway users.  Campaign materials are available in July each year to download at no cost via the NETS website at www.trafficsafety.org.

How Your Organization Can Participate in Bike to Work Events

Choose from the events and activities listed below that are suitable for your workforce. Provide the factual tip sheets that are available and utilize the video clips to raise awareness about safe cycling.

The events or activities that you select for your workplace this year will depend on the size of your organization, the resources available and the interest and enthusiasm of those within the organization.  Your involvement may range from putting up posters announcing your city or community’s events or you may stage a major informational event with a series of lunch and learn interactive sessions on safe cycling. You may simply bring in bagels for cycling commuters. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Local businesses have been quick to support the effort.  Organizers planned a campaign to make bikers, pedestrians and motorists more aware of their rights and responsibilities in traffic.

Appoint a Bike-to-Work Coordinator

A coordinator can pull together fun and informative events that will be helpful to your employees and their families.  Employers may also want to tap into and support BTWW efforts that are being planned by bicycle advocacy groups and bike clubs within their community.

Put a Bike-to-Work planning team together

This may become an ongoing Bicycle Users Group (BUG) that can continue year-round to plan and implement bicycle-friendly events and initiatives.

Become familiar with the comprehensive Bike-to-Work Guides that are available online

A number of bicycle advocacy groups in cities and communities throughout the country have put together very detailed and helpful guides to BTWW or BTWD. Others can be located with an online search.

• The League of American Bicyclists (LAB) designated National Bicycle Month and provides resources such as the Bike to Work Week Organizing Guide(pdf), a step-by-step guide to creating a successful National Bike Month™ event in your community, workplace, city, or state. The content is built upon the combined experiences of corporations, clubs, schools, public agencies, retailers, and a variety of other organizations. www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/pdf/2008_bmok.pdf
• The Bicycle Coalition of Massachusetts, Conservation Law Foundation and EarthWorks TransportAction developed Bike to Work Week: Planning Guide.
• tdc-www.harvard.edu/mink/bike/events/bw95/guide.htm
• Bike Iowa developed Employer’s “Bike to Work” Guide
• BikeToWorkWeek.org provides resources for people organizing, participating, or looking for information about the various Bike to Work Week (BTWW) and Bike to Work Day (BTWD) events being held around the world.  Discuss the latest Bike to Work Week news in our forums.
  www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/EmployerGuide.asp
  www.biketoworkweek.org

Increase Awareness at Your Workplace about Bike-to-Work Events

Bike-to -Work events offer employees the knowledge they need to start biking to work with confidence.  The idea is to spread the word about the fun and benefits of cycling to work and help new commuters with their first steps.   Let employees know through using available internal communications mechanisms:  intranet, company newsletter, email, banners, bulletin boards, paycheck stuffers, lobby displays, cafeteria kiosks or tables, parking garages, bulletin boards, etc.

Create a customized flyer that describes the specific activities and events at your worksite. Don’t forget to toot your own horn and issue a press release publicizing your intentions. The media loves to cover community-oriented and environmentally –friendly business involvement.

Consider Giveaways and Safety Incentives

Never underestimate the impact that T-shirts, books, CDs, videos, bike equipment, gift certificates and other cycling gear and incentives have on an event.  Work with the BUG to determine what incentives are appropriate and motivating for employees.

Bicycle Safety Comes First

Employees confident they know how to ride safely and that the commuter route that they’ve chosen is safe, are much more likely to cycle to work.  Use every resource to drive home the safety message.  Information and incentives can never replace individual responsibility.

Register Bike Commuters

Document your employees’ participation in Bike-to-Work and recognize their efforts. Take a group photo and display it prominently.

Publicize

Bike-to-Work through a company newsletter, payroll insert, email blasts, Intranet, posters, flyers, etc. Hang a banner welcoming commuters.  Create a customized flyer that describes the specific activities and events at your worksite. Don’t forget to too your own horn and issue a press release publicizing your intentions. The media like to cover community-oriented and environmentally –friendly business involvement.

Hold a Breakfast for Bike-to-Work Commuters

A company breakfast encourages your employees to ride and boosts morale.   It’s also a good way to demonstrate corporate concern for your employees’ health and fitness and the environment.  Hold drawings for safety incentives.  Give special recognition for the longest distance biked, oldest/most interesting bicycle, bicyclist who came from transit station farthest from work, etc.  Invite seasoned commuters from your organization or community to speak.

Host a Lunch and Learn Program

There are many knowledgeable cyclists who would be pleased to teach safe cycling classes, run workshops, offer advice and answer employees’ questions.  There may be seasoned cyclists within your own organization that would be able to present a 30 minute program or staff from a local bike shop may be available. Topics include:

• Rules of the road
• Bike selection, fit and maintenance
• Bicycle clothing basics
• Bike education and helmets
• ABC Quick Check
• Navigating traffic safely

Host a Bike to Work Safety Fair

Invite local bicycle vendors and clubs to participate.  Raffle off a bicycle and cycling gear to all participants who pledge to ride to work at least once during Bike-to-Work events. Distribute information about bicycle commuting.  Invite local bicycling and commuter advocates, bike shops, and fitness and wellness groups.

Host a Bike to Work Pit Stop

Adopt a Bike-to-Work event in your community.   Provide light refreshments and water to commuters as they cycle to work.  Hand out T-shirts or other safety incentives.  Help to make Bike-to-Work a successful event in your community.

Organize an Office Cycle Ride or a Fundraising or Benefit Ride

Invite employees, customers and friends to join a lunch-time ride.  Contact local cycling enthusiasts to help you organize group rides or join a ride that your community bicycle advocates have organized for Bike-to-Work. The fundraising rides have high profiles and you can plug into the resources of the charity to organize the ride.

Issue a Bike to Work Commuter Challenge

Challenge a neighboring employer or among departments within your organization.

Make The Pedal Power Last

One of the reasons to dedicate a week to cycling to work is to focus on a healthy activity that could become a habit and set the stage for an ongoing cycling activity.  Plan to promote cycling throughout the summer months and continue with participation in Drive Safely Work Week in October.

For distances of less than five miles, the bicycle is a very practical transportation alternative. Those employees who are concerned with maintaining or improving their physical fitness, protecting the environment or in saving money and already cycle for recreation are often willing to commute from ten or more miles away. There is a “hard-core” group of cycling enthusiasts who will always bike to work but there is a much larger group of employees who would bike to work if employers incentivized and organized the effort.

Guidelines for Employers: How to Support a Bicycle Commuter Program

Appoint a Bike Coordinator

A worksite fitness/wellness or benefits coordinator who currently bikes to work is the logical choice to head a bicycle commuter program. The most important attributes for a workplace cycle-champion are enthusiasm and an avid interest in cycling. The Coordinator functions as a liaison between employee cyclists and company management. With assistance from a local bike shop, bicycle club or a local bicycle advocacy group, the coordinator can evaluate facilities and identify safe routes to the work place. The Bike Coordinator should be able to devote a few hours a week to launch and monitor the worksite bike-to-work program.

Establish a Bike Users Group (BUG)

A group composed of cyclists or those interested in cycling from all aspects of the organization to assist the Coordinator in advising management on what facilities, incentives and types of education/training would encourage and support employees in cycling to work. The BUG can also function as a forum for cyclists to exchange information and to promote safe cycling to others within the organization.

Find Out About Cycling Conditions Near Your Worksite

Contact your local city or county planning agency, transportation department and local law enforcement to determine if the streets surrounding your site are bicycle compatible (wide curb lanes, bike lanes, trails or low traffic/low speed streets).

Be familiar with your employees’ commuting patterns by conducting a “Commuter Survey” to better understand the feasibility of being able to cycle to work.

Help Employees Plan Safe Routes to Work

Routes that employees might use to drive to work may not be the same routes that cyclists would use to commute to work. Providing cyclists with help in choosing their routes to work will help them to cycle more safely. A large map showing the safest routes to your worksite by bicycle would be very helpful to those employees considering biking to work.

In addition to the local sources identified above, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center at www.bicyclinginfor.org/bikemore/map.cfm has a databank of bike maps for cities, counties and trails organized by state.

Setup a Mentor or “Bike Buddy” Program

Employers may also consider establishing a “mentor” or “buddy” system for employees who are novice commuters, pairing them with more experienced cycling commuters. The expertise you need may be right in your workplace or you can contact a local bicycle shop or bike club to identify experienced cycling commuters that help employees get the hang of riding in traffic and find a safe route to work and back. Mentors provide new commuters with information, advice and support to build their confidence and ride safer when cycling to work. They often accompany new commuters on their initial commutes by bike to work.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center at www.bicyclinginfo.org/bikemore/support.cfm has links to various bicycle mentor programs.

Demonstrate Company Support for the Bike Commuter Program – Give a Free “Starter Kit” to Bicycle Commuters

The kit can include tips on safe cycling, reflective stickers, a water bottle and a local bike map. Have T-shirts made with your company logo and a bike-friendly design or slogan. Have the BUG determine the kit contents.

Provide Bicycle Education for All Employees

Post bicycle safety education and awareness materials about safe biking practices, incentives and promotional activities around your worksite.

Provide initial and on-going bicycle training to reinforce safe cycling and to increase road confidence. Open the training to all employees, those who bike to work, as well as those who ride recreationally. Choose from among the many activities suggested here the ones that will be most useful to your employees based on the Commuter Survey results and the recommendations of the Bike Users Group.

Provide Free or Low-Cost Bicycle Helmets

Bicycle helmets are the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bicycle crashes. All riders must wear helmets, even on short trips. To promote the use of helmets by your employees provide free helmets or buy them in bulk and offer them at cost. Purchase helmets that you would be proud to wear. Select a color or design that encourages cyclists to wear it on every ride. For further information on where to purchase helmets.

Contact a local bicycle shops to showcase new bicycle models and offer free or subsidized maintenance tune-ups for bike commuters. A bicycle shop may be willing to offer volume discounts on bicycles and gear for your employees as well as sponsor or host training workshops or bike clinics.

Provide Loaner Bicycles to Employees

Purchase some loaner bicycles for commuters to use in the event that their bicycles breakdown on route to work or for trial use by employees who are considering cycling to work. These bicycles can also be used during the work day for employees to ride recreationally during breaks or to do errands.

Provide Visible, Secure and Accessible Bicycle Parking

Employees need to know their bicycles are safe while they work. Many spend over $1000 on their bicycle and cycling equipment. Surveying your employees, formally or informally, will help determine the amount of parking your site will need. Some communities have ordinances governing the number of bicycle parking spaces employers must provide.

Good bicycle parking is:

• Clearly labeled
• Located as close to the building entrance as possible
• Sheltered from the elements
• Located where there are people, security personnel or cameras or in a locked room
• Well lit
• Sufficiently separated or protected from motor vehicle parking to prevent damage to parked bicycles

Provide Showers and Changing Facilities

Bike commuters will need a place to freshen up or change clothes before work and a locker or place to store their clothes and cycling gear. A shower would be a great help to cyclists, especially if towels, hairdryers and lockers are available. If this is not feasible, consider making arrangements with a nearby fitness center or gym so that employees can use their shower facilities.

It is recommended that in buildings with 50-100 employees, one shower be available. In buildings with 100- 250 employees, one shower for each sex should be provided. Buildings housing over 250 employees should provide at least four showers with two of them being accessible to the disabled.

Offer Incentives to Employees Cycling to Work

Biking to work is a great way for employees to stay in shape, lead a healthy lifestyle and arrive at work refreshed and full of energy. Incentivize biking to work by:

• Paying a subsidy to bicycle commuters who don’t use company parking spaces
• Offering interest free bicycle purchase loans
• Provide a Guaranteed Ride Home Program
  What if I need to get home for an unexpected emergency? Ease employee concerns by establishing a guaranteed ride home program that will provide emergency rides home to people who bicycle or take other alternative transportation to work at least twice a week. This is helpful in the event of a bicycle breakdown, bad weather, or an emergency at home. Depending on the size and assets of your organization, bicycle commuters may borrow a company car or have their cab fare reimbursed.
• Vanpool/carpool Vehicles Equipped with Bicycle Racks
• If your organization operates vans and pool cars, consider equipping them with bike racks to facilitate commuting by bicycle to work for at least a portion of the commute.

Guidelines for Employees: How to Get Ready to Cycle to Work

Below are some suggestions to help employees as they ease into bicycle commuting.

• Have your bicycle “tuned-up”, especially if you haven’t cycled in a while to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. And determine if your bike “fits” you?
• Contact your employer’s or community’s bicycle club or commuter program so that you can be in touch with others in your neighborhood who bike to work to find the most convenient and safest route for you to use.
• Find a co-worker or friend who bikes and commute with them initially to feel safer. Try a practice run on a weekend to find a good route and see how long it takes. The best route may not be the same one that you normally use when driving to work.
• Plan how you will cross busy roads. Seek out bike paths, traffic signals or over or under passes to connect your route safely.
• Practice your safety skills and riding habits when not in a hurry so that you will be prepared and skilled when needed.
• Start by cycling to work just one day a week (try it on casual Friday.)
• If you live far from work, try bicycling to the nearest public transportation or commuter rail station, or drive part of the way, park and bike the rest of the trip.
• Know where that you will park your bicycle while at work.
• Know what clothes you will wear and how you will carry your gear. Will you commute in your work clothes?

Sources for Additional Information on Establishing a Bicycle Commuter Program

There are a number of national, state and local organizations available to work with employers to make their businesses bicycle-friendly. There is an abundance of detailed information, accessible online, on how to implement a commuter bicycling program.

Below are links to bicycle advocacy groups that have developed cycle-friendly commuter guides. There are many groups actively trying to encourage more people to cycle to work and to do so safely. To locate the many additional sources of information, do an online search.

USDOT Headquarters in Washington, DC

The site is for employees who commute by bicycle to the USDOT headquarters in Washington, DC, but also provides information and resources for other employers to implement a bicycle commuter program for their workplace.
www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/commute/

Commuter Connections in the Washington, Metropolitan Area

The site provides complimentary information on a host of commuter programs. Thousands of DC area employees bike to work every day. Commuter Connections has a guide designed to ease the transition to bike commuting for Washington metropolitan area employees and to help employers encourage this smarter way to work.
www.mwcog.org/commuter2/

League of American Bicyclists (LAB)

LAB is an organization committed to promoting bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation. The League works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. To download Bike to Work Commuter’s Booklet,visit www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/pdf/BTWW_Booklet.pdf

Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation in Seattle, WA

The Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation was created in 2001 to provide education programs and consulting services to the local community, in the interest of creating a better community through bicycling. Among their initiatives, they promote bicycle commuting through individual and corporate programs and work with schools on fitness programs and Safe Routes to Schools.
www.cbcef.org/commute.html

Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

The mission of the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, founded in 1985, is to improve the bicycling environment and thereby the quality of life in the region by promoting bicycle safety, education and facilities, and by encouraging use of the bicycle as an energy-efficient, economical and nonpolluting form of transportation and as a healthful and enjoyable form of recreation.

Their Bike to Work Guide: Steps to Encourage Bicycle Commuting at Your Workplace gives you the tools to start a bike-to-work program at your workplace, including how to promote bicycle commuting to management, fend off excuses for not riding, and encourage others to join you. Download at www.biketraffic.org/commute/BTWguide2002-4.pdf

Bike Iowa

Bike Iowa exists solely for educational purposes to educate the public on bicycling related issues for the state of Iowa. They have a helpful Commuter Reference Guide. Download at www.bikeiowa.com/asp/bike/CommuterGuide.asp

As an employer there are many ways that you can support and promote safe cycling.  The resource center provides strategies to introduce such programming into the corporate setting:

• Talk to your employees who cycle to determine what their needs are and to solicit ideas on ways to attract additional employees to cycling.
• Form a Workplace Bicycle Users Group (BUG) to Promote Safe Cycling One way to encourage employees to cycle is to form a BUG.  Having peers to help plan and sponsor safety trainings, rides and events help to get people out on to the roads. BUGS provide members with: information on where to ride, a body of like-minded people to ride with, a source of answers to cycling questions and a united front to help promote bicycling.  When forming a BUG, contact a local bike shop; they will often support a group by offering discounts to members on equipment and may have certified staff that can provide workplace training.
• Be familiar with your employees’ commuting patterns to better understand the feasibility of being able to cycle to work.  Post route maps in your place of business to highlight safe cycling routes to work.
• Adopt a practice of being cycle-friendly and promote the existence of the practice to employees, visitors to the worksite and the community. Hold a “Pedal with the CEO” Day to reinforce the organization’s commitment.  Sponsor incentive programs and stage promotional events.
• Keep bicycle safety information “in front” of your employees using available internal communications mechanisms:  intranet, company newsletter, email, banners, bulletin boards, paycheck stuffers, etc.
• Plan Safe Cycling Events for Employees, their Families and Members of the Community

The more comfortable cyclists are riding in traffic, the safer they ride. One excellent way to develop or improve bicycle skills and confidence is to participate in cycle training classes/workshops. Training is useful for both those who are novice cyclists and for those who have not ridden recently. Training can teach cycling safety and increase road confidence. Employees can learn about rules of the road, rights and responsibilities, buying, fitting and maintaining a bicycle, cycling wear, carrying gear, group riding practices and to navigate traffic effectively.

Host Bicycle Rodeos for Employees’ Children

Rodeos are an opportunity for children and their parents to learn about bicycle safety, develop their skills, how to care for their b>ikes and wear their helmets by participating in various interactive stations on bicycle education.

Rodeos often have the following stations:

Rules of the Road: Children will be able to learn along with their parents about the rules of the road and how to respond in specific situations.
Bicycle Helmet Fittings:  Children can bring their helmets to the rodeo and have them checked for proper fit.  Employers sponsoring rodeos may provide low cost or free helmets for participants who need them.
Bicycle Checks: Children can bring their bikes to the rodeo to be checked for proper tire pressure, broken spokes, lubed chains, working brakes, etc.  Emphasis is also placed on bike fit and on how to care for a bike.
Bicycle Course: Children will have an opportunity to ride on a course with obstacles to test their cycling skills.

Bicycle Maintenance Clinics

Bike maintenance and repair clinics are often available at bike shops and through bicycle advocacy groups.  Employers can host a clinic at their location for employees and their families.  Cyclist will feel more confident when they can change a flat tire, patch tubes, make front and rear derailleur adjustments and chain maintenance.

Cycling Training

Bicycle safety training is provided by a number of organizations.  Contact a local or State bicycle coalition in your area or visit the League of American Bicyclists (LAB) website (http://www.bikeleague.org) to search for League Cycling Instructors (LCIs) in your area. LCIs are the experts in bicycle education and offer courses to suit the needs of any cyclist. They are certified, insured and equipped to teach anything from basic skills to college level courses.  LCI’s can also design bike rodeos and provide general safety consulting.

The following topics are typically addressed in a training class:

• Teaching children to cycle safely
• Bicycle commuting to work
• Riding recreationally
• Riding with a group
• Rules of the road
• Bike selection, fit and maintenance
• Bicycle clothing basics
• Bike education and helmets
• ABC Quick Check
• Navigating traffic safely

In most States, bicycles in the roadway are defined as vehicles and are subject to all the same rights and responsibilities of motorized vehicles. Simply knowing how to ride a bicycle is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely and legally. The LAB has developed the Bike Ed program, a curriculum for adults and children taught across the United States a by LCIs.

Download the Bike Ed brochure that promotes the League’s classes.  http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/education/ pdfs/BikeEd_brochure.pdf

Participate in the National Bike Month events celebrated each May that promote safe cycling, such as Bike to Work Week or Bike to Work Day along with local cycling activities. Find out if your community participates in these events and join in to support their efforts.  Arrange for your bike coordinator to be part of the planning process annually and sponsor an activity or training class.  Plan additional activities and promotions within your own organization.
Promote the use of bicycle helmets for all bicyclists. Encourage your employees to be role models for safe cycling wearing helmets on every ride. Provide free or low cost helmets for employees and their families.
Provide a pool of company bicycles for employees to use for business purposes during the workday or for fitness on off-duty time. The bicycle fleet would be managed as a company would its pool cars by overseeing proper maintenance, recording staff use times, parking facilities, safety equipment, including bike helmets and lights, bicycle safety training, implementation of policies to address safety and liability concerns, including mandatory helmet use and a release and waiver of liability for employees.
Provide secure cycle parking for employees and visitors.  Encourage employees and visitors to ride their bicycles to promote cycle-friendly initiatives in your local community.  Ideally the parking should be well-signed in a prominent place at least as convenient as car parking. Start small, if the demand increases more parking can be installed later.

Partner With Bicycle Safety Advocates for a Bicycle-Friendly Workplace

There are a number of organizations concerned with bicycle safety.  These organizations are invaluable resources that offer a wealth of information and have a vested interest in disseminating bicycle safety information.  With little or no expense to your company, they can share their resources that may include knowledgeable speakers, training opportunities, informational pamphlets and brochures, posters, videos and much more.

League of American Bicyclists (LAB)

LAB is an organization committed to promoting bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation. The League works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.
Site: www.bikeleague.org

Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI)

BHI is an organization committed to promoting helmet use. It offers a wealth of information to help organizations implement a helmet awareness program, and provides additional references and resources for promoting helmet use. The site provides information on choosing a helmet, how to properly fit a helmet, and helmet laws by state.
Site: www.bhsi.org

Thunderhead Alliance

The alliance is the national coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations working in unison to break down the barriers to safe bicycling and walking in North American communities. They create, strengthen and unite state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations.  Their current membership includes at least 128 member organizations.
Site:  www.thunderheadalliance.org/links.htm

Determining how many employees bike to work is difficult with the limited data that is collected. The most reliable count available is from the U.S. Census Journey to Work data. However, the Census only considers bicycle trips to work by those who regularly commute by bicycle. The Census does not include those employees who may commute by bicycle one or two days a week.

The American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau lets communities see how they are changing – filling in the gaps between each 10-year census. The ACS is sent to a small percentage of the population on a rotating basis.

The National Household Travel Study sponsored by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Federal Highway Administration collects data on all trips not just trips to work but because of poor sample sizes is a poor source of state or local data.

Thunderhead Alliance, a national coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations working in unison to break down the barriers to safe bicycling and walking in North American communities used the ACS 2005 data to determine that nationwide, an average of 0.40 percent of trips to work are by bicycle.  In major U.S. cities, the highest bicycle commute share is higher at 0.68 percent.

Percent of Trips to Work by Bicycle in 50 States

Less than 1 percent of work trips in the U.S. are by bicycle. Montana has the highest bicycle commuter share with approximately 1.6 percent of work trips made by bike, followed by Oregon and Idaho. West Virginia has he least with bicycle trips accounting for less than a tenth of 1 percent of all trips to work.

Sources:  ACS (2005) from Thunderhead Alliance Benchmarking 2007

Percent of Trips to Work by Bicycle in Largest U.S. Cities

Bicycling rates are higher in cities than throughout states.  Employees in major U.S. cities are 1.7 times more likely to bike to work than those in the states surveyed. Portland, OR has the highest share of those who bike to work with 3.47 percent of all trips to work by bicycle, followed by  Minneapolis (with 2.42 percent) and Seattle (at 2.31 percent). Kansas City has the lowest bike share of work trips of all major U.S. cities with only 0.02 percent of work trips by bike.

Sources:  ACS (2005) from Thunderhead Alliance Benchmarking 2007

Bicycling & Bicycle Safety Status by State

Sources:  ACS (2005), NHTS (2001-2002), FARS (2003-2005) from Thunderhead Alliance Benchmarking 2007

Bicycling & Bicycle Safety Status by City

Sources:  ACS (2005), NHTS (2001-2002), City Surveys from Thunderhead Alliance Benchmarking 2007

Levels of Cycling and Safety

Sources:  ACS (2005), NHTS (2001-2002), FARS (2003-2005) from Thunderhead Alliance Benchmarking 2007

Eight-five percent of bicycle deaths are persons 16 and older.  The most serious injuries among a majority of those killed are to the head, highlighting the importance of wearing a bicycle helmet.  Ninety-five percent of the bicyclists killed in 2006 reportedly weren’t wearing helmets.

Bicycle Crash Facts

• The number of reported bicycle-related injuries has risen in recent years, following a decline from the 1990s. However, only a small fraction, possibly as low as 10% of crashes causing injury are ever recorded by the police.
• In 2006, the average age of bicyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes was 41, and the average age of those injured was 30.
• Children are at particularly high risk for bicycle-related injuries, with those under 14 years of age accounting for 13% of the fatalities, making this one of the most frequent causes of injury related death for young children. Bicycle helmet use by children 4 to 15 would prevent 39,000 to 45,000 head injuries and 18,000 to 55,000 scalp and face injuries annually.
• Deaths among bicyclists younger than 16 have gone down by 84% since 1975, while deaths among bicyclists 16 and older have more than doubled.
• Twenty-four percent of bicyclists killed in 2006 were alcohol impaired with blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08%.
• Bicyclist deaths in 2006 occurred most often during June-September and between the hours of 6pm and 9pm.
• Children are at particularly high risk for bicycle-related injuries, with those under 14 years of age accounting for 13% of the fatalities, making this one of the most frequent causes of injury related death for young children.
• Deaths among bicyclists younger than 16 have gone down by 84% since 1975, while deaths among bicyclists 16 and older have more than doubled.
• More than 7 times as many bicyclist deaths in 2006 were males compared with females. At every age more male than female bicyclists were killed and the rates of bicyclist deaths per million people were higher for males than females. The highest rate of bicyclist deaths per million people occurred for 50-54 year-old males.

To Find Local Bicycle Crash Data

To find local bicycle-related injury and fatality data, contact:

• Local or state department of transportation
• Local or state department of health
• Police department
• Hospital or emergency room

Reasons for Bicycling

Where Bicyclists Ride

How Far Do Bicyclists Ride?

The average length of a bicycle trip taken on a typical summer day was 3.9 miles. Trip length was dependent upon purpose. Trips taken for recreation or fitness were longer at 5.6 miles while trips for other purposes averaged 2.2 miles.

Trips of:

Most Common Types of Bicycle-Related Crashes

Annual Crash Data to Download

from www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Bicyclists and Other Cyclists
Traffic Safety Facts 2006: Children

Sources for Facts About Bicycling

CDC at www.cdc.gov/ncipc/bike

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center at www.bicyclinginfo.org

Insurance Institute for highway Safety at www.iihs.org

U.S. Department of Transportation’s NCSA at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/PUBS/810802.pdf

2002 National Survey of Pedestrian and Bicyclist Attitudes and Behaviors at www.bts.gov/programs/omnibus_surveys/targeted_survey/2002_ national_survey_of_pedestrian_and_bicyclist_attitudes_and_behaviors

Bicycling is an age-old American past time.  It is a recreational and fitness activity enjoyed by children and adults—with about 85 million adults and children riding their bikes every year.

For some Americans, biking is also a healthy, clean, economical, and fun alternative for commuting to and from work.  Every morning, an estimated half million employees bike to work in the United States.  For employees, biking to work costs less than driving or taking public transportation.  It is also a great way for them to stay in shape, lead a healthy lifestyle and arrive at work refreshed and full of energy.

Health and Fitness Benefits

Eighty percent of Americans do not get the recommended 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week. An alarming number are becoming more sedentary and obese, consequently risking their lives. Inactivity is a factor in 10 percent of total deaths and 25 percent of chronic disease-related deaths.

Biking is a moderate, low-impact, aerobic, physical activity suitable for all age groups.  Since 25 percent of all trips are within a mile of home, it’s ideal to ride a bicycle for good health. And while you are enhancing your physical health, you are improving your mental outlook and overall quality of life

Community and Environmental Benefits

Every day cars and trucks burn millions of barrels of oil, a non-renewable energy source.  Bicycles are 100 percent non-polluting. Every trip made by a bicycle instead of a car reduces the burden of low-level ozone, nitrous oxides, carbon dioxide, soot and noise on our environment and health.

Since short car trips (0 to 5 miles) are the most polluting, encouraging employees who live within five miles of work by bicycle can make a large difference in everyone’s quality of life. Converting short trips by cars and trucks to bicycles is a way to reduce energy needs and pollution emissions in the transportation sector.

Social Responsibility Benefits

Communities that promote bicycling and the infrastructure that support it are more livable communities—contributing to a healthy sense of identity and place that attract businesses and workers as well as tourism.

Support for bicycling promotes your company image as a community-oriented and environmentally responsible employer, your employees will feel pride in working for an organization that recognizes the importance of social and environmental responsibility.

Economic Benefits to Employers and Employees

Benefits to Employers

There are many positive consequences of safe bicycling whether the cyclist rides recreationally or is an avid bike commuter.  Economic rewards to employers are realized through reduced health care costs, less absenteeism and employee turnover and a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.

It has also been noted that a dozen bicycles can be parked in one car’s parking space. Bicycle parking is one-third to one-sixth the cost of car parking and frees up more parking space for customers.  Having employees who commute by bike cuts down on the traffic at the worksite as well as on the roadways and in parking lots.

Benefits to Employees

Bicycling is an affordable form of transportation. Owning a car is expensive and according to AAA estimates, accounts for more than 18 percent of a typical household’s income, while the League of American Bicyclists estimates the cost of operating a bicycle for a year to be only $120.

When a worksite provides safe parking facilities and other amenities for bikes and cyclists, employees can ride to work more often and spend less on transportation costs.

Sources for Information on the Benefits of Bicycling

• League of American Bicyclists
• National Bicycling and Walking Study Final Report
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center