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BICYCLING AND WALKING Why encourage employees to bicycle and walk to work? Bicycling and walking are flexible commuting modes that give your employees more options of how to get to work. Employees might make their entire commute trip by walking or biking, or just go as far as a park-and-ride lot and continue the trip by bus, vanpool or carpool. Some commuters choose to bicycle or walk one direction and return using another commute mode. What are the benefits of bicycling and walking to work? To Employers: reduces the demand for employee parking increases employees' fitness and may reduce health care costs To Employees: combines exercise with commute time increases fitness activity and may reduce stress provides commuting flexibility creates fun pre- and post-work activity How much do bicycling and walking programs cost? They often have no associated costs. For large employers, initial costs may include purchasing bike racks, bike lockers, and showers and clothes lockers for onsite use. Saving money in parking costs may help offset these costs. Some employers may provide health club memberships or transportation allowances to employees instead of providing on-site amenities. Bike Buddy Program The Bike Buddy Program, developed by the Bicycle Alliance and King County Metro, is designed to provide personalized assistance to those new to the bicycle community. New cyclists will be matched with an experienced cyclist from their own neighborhood to receive customized tips on commuting to work and assist in route planning for cycling to their worksite. Contact the Bicycle Alliance for more information. The Bicycle Alliance of Washington can provide you with bicycle locker leasing information. They also help in locating bicycles left on buses. Contact them at (206) 224-9252. Currently, about 40 percent of Metro's fleet, or around 250 vans, are equipped with bicycle racks. If you would like a rack installed on your vanpool, contact Rideshare Operations at (206) 684-1928. For additional information, e-mail: employer.program@metrokc.gov or call 206-263-3444.