You may recognize that today’s employees want to work for companies that have environment and healthy living focused cultures. So how do you make that happen at your organization? The following is a bicycle-focused list of things you can do in your corporation and in your community to work towards this reality:

• Promoting bicycle riding

• Installing bicycle racks

• Providing bicycle education

We also recommend you check out the League of American Bicyclists suggestions on becoming a bicycle friendly business!

Firstly, your employees need to be made aware of your efforts towards a bicycle-friendly environment. You can start by communicating your encouragement and support for employees commuting by bicycle. Further engagement can be achieved through the following ideas:

• Provide free bicycles that can be checked out and used for commuting to work, running errands, or exercising during lunch.

  • Promote use of these bicycles in your organization by providing simple incentives for using bicycles for short errands or for going to lunch.

  • Bike Utah can loan you a set of branded bicycles to experiment with.

• Promote a bike-to-work day or even a whole week as a commuter challenge

• Organize staff rides with executives and key employees in the community. Not only does this provide an opportunity to socialize and get exercise, it may help your staff become aware of bicycle infrastructure issues you may wish to change. Bike Utah can help with organization of these rides. Email us at info@bikeutah.org.

Bicycle racks are a key amenity for employees to feel that their private bicycles are secure and safe. Keep in mind where bicycle racks should be located, how many employees will potentially be commuting by bicycle, lighting for employees arriving or departing during non-daylight hours, and protection for inclement weather. Installation of bicycle racks is a gesture that will go a long way in promoting more bike commuting.

• Provide accessible, secure, quality bicycle parking available for staff and guests to use. Salt Lake City Transportation has put together a guide for standards when installing bicycle racks in front of your business. This guide outlines the best locations for bicycle racks and how to make sure they are accessible to users.

• Companies in Utah that can install your bicycle rack.

  • Cannon Sales Inc.

You’ve shared an organization-wide message promoting bicycle use at the work place. You’ve even thoughtfully installed bicycle racks around your establishment. Great! However these tactics generally best serve individuals who are already comfortable riding their bicycle safely in public. Consider ushering in the next wave of cyclists at your organization by building the confidence and skills of those interested in becoming a bicycle commuter. Here are a few examples of how:

• Include bicycle safety skills information in your onboarding documents.

• Include information for drivers on how to share the road with cyclists.

• Connect your staff with opportunities for bicycle skills or maintenance classes. There are many organizations and bike shops that provide these regularly such as Maddog cycles in Orem and the Ogden, Salt Lake, St. George, and Provo Bicycle Collectives.

• Lastly, invite Bike Utah to come in and teach your staff about bicycle advocacy as individuals and as a business. We also have certified instructors who can co-host a Smart Cycling course for your employees.