The Bike Geek

As I was planning to commute by bike to work, I got the idea to ask my employer for incentives. My company currently has an incentive program for carpoolers, so I figure, why not for us that commute by bike? My first hurdle was that I was not taken that serious. And since I was the only one that was committed to ride, they were not going to start an incentive program for just 1 person. As the number of riders grew, our company took notice that we were serious about riding our bikes to work. Another fellow commuter followed up about establishing the incentive program, this time, the company agreed! Here’s how our incentive program works: We are required to ride at least 8 times a month, the names of all the riders will be placed on a monthly drawing, the winner gets to take home $75.00. Not a bad incentive! The key to convince our employer to establish this incentive program was to show that we were committed to riding to work and that this program was not for just one person, but for over 5 people. The one problem that my company will face is that the bike rack is pretty much full; they may need to install a new one as word of this program spreads out. Then again, that may not be such a bad problem after all.

Ever wondered who keeps those trails that your ride open? who does maintenace on them? who represents cyclists’ rights around the US? Advocacy organizations, that’s who. Organizations such IMBA and The League of American Cyclists. They need contributions as well as volunteers to keep representing YOU. The Bike league has a page of all national advocacy organizations (click here) and a page for local and state advocacy clubs (click here). Remember, all donations are tax deductible