Promoting Walking and Biking

Emily Neuman loves to ride her bike to work at the Co-Op in Hanover

Walking and biking to work are great ways to increase productivity, promote employee wellness, and cut down on parking. Here are some tips to encourage your employees to bike and walk to work.

1. Provide bike racks and basic maintenance tools, such as air pumps, Allen wrenches, and spare inner tubes. The cost of supplying a small, on-site "bike shop" is fairly negligible and employees will feel confident knowing they can rely on spare parts in the event of an emergency.
2. Promote biking and walking in your wellness program. Does your company encourage its employees to stay fit and active? Don’t forget to include biking and walking to work in your messaging.
3. Hold drawings for walking shoes, bike helmets, bike lights, and other fun gear. You’ll show your support for active living.
4. Offer employees the federal pre-tax bike benefit. The federal government allows you to deduct $20 pre-tax for qualified bike commuting expenses. This figure can help offset the purchase of safety equipment, bicycles, and other necessities. The San Francisco Bike Coalition offers more info on administering the tax benefit.
5. Hold a bike-walk commuting seminar. The Upper Valley Trails Alliance can teach your employees how to get to work in an active, fun, and safe way. Contact Russell Hirschler to learn more.
6. Whenever possible, provide employee showers. Cyclists and walkers in the Upper Valley sometimes travel long distances to get to work. Having a shower on site can encourage more people to choose active transportation options because they know they can freshen up before important meetings.