NORTHERN NEVADA BIKE TO WORK DAY 2009

NORTHERN NEVADA BIKE TO WORK DAY 2009 Bike to Work Day and Bicycle Commuter Challenge Employer and Employee Information Packet This year Bike to Work Day is May 15 in Northern Nevada and across the nation. It is a day dedicated to bringing attention to the joys and benefits of leaving the car at home and riding a bicycle to work. Last years Northern Nevada Bike to Work Day was a tremendous success and this year’s event is guaranteed to be even bigger and better. We are hoping that you will be a part of this year’s successful event by becoming a participating employer. The benefits of commuting by bicycle for your business and your employees are extensive: including lowered health care costs and increased productivity for your business as well as lowered stress levels for your employees. Participation is easy. Register your organization for the Bike Commuter Challenge on our website. Promote Bike to Work Day and the Bicycle Commuter Challenge at your work place. Find interesting and innovative ways to motivate your employees to bike to work on Friday, May 15. That’s all it takes. Thank you for taking the time to consider participating in this year’s Northern Nevada Bike to Work Day. If you have any questions or would like to find out more information please don’t hesitate to contact either of the Bike to Work Day Planning Committee members listed below. They would be happy to hear from you Warm Regards, Carol Perry Northern Nevada Bike to Work Day Planning Committee Phone- 775.335.1920 Email- cperry@rtcwashoe.com Website- www.bikenevada.org Trevor Rice Northern Nevada Bike to Work Day Planning Committee Phone- 775.830.0420 Email- trevor@accesstohealthcare.org Website- www.bikenevada.org Northern Nevada Bike to Work Day 2009 and the Bicycle Commuter Challenge Is brought to you by Bicycle Commuter Challenge The Basics How does the Bicycle Challenge Work?  The Bicycle Commuter Challenge is a friendly competition between employers to see who can get the highest percentage of employees to bike to work on Friday, May 15 2009.  Employers or individuals interested in participating need to go to our website www.bikenevada.org to sign up and be counted.  The week following the Bicycle Commuter Challenge we will tally the results to see which employer had the highest percentage of their total number of employees who biked to work and is the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Challenge Champion.  If you are an employer or an employee and are interested in having a Bicycle Commuter Challenge Team please refer to the Employer section of this packet. Who Can Participate in the Challenge?  Everyone- Anyone who is interested in leaving the car home for a day and experiencing the joy of biking to work can participate.  Individuals- You can participate as an individual and register to win one of several prizes.  Companies- Employers of any size can participate in the challenge and since this is about getting more people riding their bike , any employee can play.  Age/Gender- Whether you are a man or a woman, are 50 or 15 years old, if you have the desire and a bicycle, you can join us on Friday, May 15 for some fun and friendly competition. Benefits for Challenge Participants  Free Stuff- Anyone who bikes to work on Friday May 15 can bike to any participating coffee shop and show their helmet to receive a free coffee.  Useful Information- Visit one of the participating bike shops and learn some tips on how to ensure you have a safe commute. Attend some of the clinics to learn how to fix and maintain your bike yourself.  Prizes- Every one who registers as a challenge participant and pledges to ride to work will be entered in a drawing for a great prize.  Bragging Rights!!!- The employer/team who has the highest percentage of registered employees will be crowned the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Champion and will receive a plaque honoring their achievement. Benefits for Bike Commuters  For Your Health- Biking improves your health. National health statistics show that when you're more active, you decrease your risk for cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.  For Your Well Being- Bike commuting improves your mood. Most bike commuters report that a little exercise and fresh air at the beginning and end of their work day improves their mood at work and at home.  For Your Pocket Book- Bike commuting saves you money. With gas costing $3 a gallon and overall annual car ownership costs averaging $8,000, getting around by bike can free up money in your budget for other things.  For The Environment- Bike commuting helps to reduce our personal carbon footprint thereby reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. More than 30% of greenhouse gases released in Nevada come from transportation. Riding your bike is one step to helping slow down the effects of global warming. Benefits for Employers Having employees that bike to work is not only beneficial to the individual employee through better health and wellbeing, but it also benefits the company as well by creating a happier, healthier and more productive workforce which can positively affect the bottom line.  Productivity- Bicycling reduces stress and anxiety, and makes for happier, energized, more productive employees.  Sick Days- According to the National Institute for Health, absentee and turnover rates are lower among physically active employees.  Health Care Costs- Companies spend less on health care when they invest in programs promoting physical activity. One Blue Cross/Blue Shield study showed a savings of $2.45 per dollar allocated to continuing fitness and wellness programs.  Parking Costs- Bicycle commuting can play an important part in reducing car trips to work, which reduces parking needs and costs. It can free up those used parking spaces for your customers.  Going Green!!!- Encouraging your employees to bike to work can give your business the status and prestige of being a Green Company. Every company that registers will be recognized on our website as being a bicycle commuter friendly workplace. The champions of the Bicycle Commuter Challenge as well as the runner up will be recognized in the local media.  Bragging Rights!!!- The employer/team who has the highest percentage of registered employees will be crowned the 2009 Bicycle Commuter Champion and will receive a plaque honoring their achievement. What Counts as Participation?  Individuals- In order to participate you must register and pledge to bike to work on Friday, May 15.  Employers- The team captain must register the company and all participants and pledge to ensure that all registered members will bike to work on Friday, May 15.  Employers- Each participating employer is also urged to host their own Bike to Work Day Activities. Ideas for your own events can be found on our website or later on in this packet. What Counts as Biking to Work?  Riding your bicycle to work and back.  Riding your bike one way and going the other way by some other mode of transportation.  Riding your bicycle to work part way by combining biking with mass transit, driving or any other mode of getting around Bicycle Commuter Challenge Employer and Employee Information How do I Become a Participating Workplace?  The first thing you will need to do is decide who is going to be the team captain for your workplace.  The team captain will be the person who registers your workplace and all participating riders on our website www.bikenevada.org  The team captain can be your HR Director, Company CEO, Administrator or anyone interested in biking to work. It’s up to you.  The team captain will begin the process of recruiting your employees to ensure that you will be the Bicycle Commuter Challenge champions for 2009.  If you see that your workplace has already been registered on our website than you already have a team captain. Go and join them!!! What is the Team Captain and what do they do?  The team captain is the person in the office who takes it upon themselves to start a commuter challenge team.  Team captain registers the workplace on the bike to work website and sees to it that all participating team members are registered as well. www.bikenevada.org  Team captains are responsible for promoting Bike to Work Day at your workplace for enticing and encouraging your coworkers to bike to work on Friday, May 15.  Team captains can also lobby their employer to host their own Bike to Work Day Events.  Finally, team captains are the heroes of Bike to Work Day. Without them this event would not be as successful as it is. Team Captains- Promote the Bicycle Commuter Challenge at your office and recruit your team Here are some ideas that you can use to promote Bike to Work Day and recruit your team. Remember that the Bicycle Commuter Champion is crowned based on the percentage of employees that a company gets to bike to work.  Posters- Place the Bike to Work Day posters in your office, company kitchen or bulletin board. Call 775-784-7200 to order posters  Website- Put the Bike to Work Day logo and information on your company’s website. Call 775-784-7200  Newsletters- Include information about Bike to Work Day and the Bicycle Commuter Challenge in your company newsletter.  Emails Etc.-Let your co-workers know about Bike to Work Day and the Bicycle Commuter Challenge through emails, memos and announcements.  Staff Meeting- You have a captive audience!!! Take the opportunity to highlight your desire to start a team and to remind everyone to bike to work on Friday, May 15.  Benefits- Talk about the benefits of commuting by bicycle with your coworkers. Economic incentives may be of particular interest.  Be Creative and Helpful- Help your co-workers to identify ways they can overcome obstacles to bicycle commuting. Tips can be found later on in this packet. Employers- Promote the Bicycle Commuter Challenge and Bike to Work Day at your Workplace  Find your workplace a team captain!!!  Raffles- Everyone who registers for the Bike Commuter Challenge will be eligible for a raffle. As an employer, consider holding your own companywide raffle. Some prizes could include: lunch on the boss, an extra halfday of personal time, movie tickets, employee of the month privileges. Be creative and make it fun.  Refreshments- Have free coffee/tea and snacks available to all your employees who bike to work.  Breakfast/Lunch- Providing a lunch or breakfast event is a good way to increase participation and will give your employees a chance to sign up for a company raffle.  Half-Day- Recognize the benefit your employees who bike to work add to the company by giving them a half day off on Friday, May 15.  Money for Lunch- If you did not want to host your own lunch or breakfast event, you can consider giving your employees who bike commute to work some extra money towards lunch.  Work Attire- Allow your employees to dress casually on Friday May 15.  Challenge Letters- Send a letter to another employer with whom you know and challenge them to a friendly competition.  Bike Storage and Lock-Up- If you do not already have a safe place to lock up or store your employees’ bikes, identify one for Bike to Work Day and everyday thereafter. Unused storage closets or office space can make perfect bike storage rooms. Purchasing bike racks can be a profitable long run investment.  Make it Fun and Exciting- Whatever you choose to do to promote Bike to Work Day and the Bicycle Commuter Challenge make it fun and exciting. Remember the more employees who bike to work the better it is for the company. Look to the back of this packet for a sample employee newsletter article Electronic versions of sample newsletter articles, flyers and challenge letters can be found at our website www.bikenevada.org. To order posters and promotional materials call 775-784-7200. Resources for Bicycle Commuters The following information can be copied and distributed to employees/individuals who are participating in the Northern Nevada Bike to Work Day Bike to Work Day Events  On Friday May 15, bike to one the participating coffee shops present your helmet and receive a free coffee or other beverage.  Take advantage of the free bike safety checks hosted by local participating bike shops to ensure that you have a safe commute.  Check out one of the bike maintenance clinics to learn how you can save money by fixing and maintaining your bike yourself.  You can find out more about the previously mentioned events at our website www.bikenevada.org Safety Tips and Resources            Obey all traffic signs and signals. Always wear a helmet whenever you hop on your bike. Never ride against traffic. Use proper hand signals. Do not weave in between parked cars. Follow all lane markers, e.g. don’t turn left from the right lane. Don’t pass on the right. Make eye contact with drivers Check what is going on behind you. Keep both hands ready to brake. Be visible: wear bright reflective clothing and use lights and reflective devices at night.  Keep your bike in good riding condition.  For more detailed information on the preceding subjects visit the following websites or visit one of your local bike shops.  www.nhtsa.gov, www.bicyclinginfo.org/education/resource/fhwa, www.bikeleague.org, www.ots.state.nv.us Bicycles and Safety Equipment It would be exceedingly difficult to begin to ride your bike to work if you don’t have a working bicycle and all the necessary safety equipment. So here are some helpful locations where you can acquire a cheap bicycle and accessories or fix the one you already have.  Inexpensive Bicycles  Reno Sparks Kiwanis sells bikes starting at $60. 775-746-9310  Reno Bike Project takes used bikes and makes them ready to ride and cheap to buy- www.renobikeproject.com  Craigslist is a good place to go and search for inexpensive bicycles for sale. Just make sure you have the bike checked out before commuting- www.craigslist.org  The Salvation Army- 775-688-4555  Savers is thrift store chain that sometimes has bicycles- 775-3494244  Call our local bike shops for more information about deals they may be having.  Helmets and other Safety Equipment  All of the above are possible options to find inexpensive helmets and safety equipment.  You can team up with your co-workers and save by buying in bulk from www.helmetsrus.net/nonprofit Finding Biking Partners, Mapping Your Route and Tracking Your Progress  Finding a Partner to Ride With- If you are not part of a team and would like to find someone to ride with check out this website. www.rtcwashoe.greenride.com  Mapping Your Route- It is always smart to map out your route before you begin your commute. You can visit one of the participating bike shops and they will be happy to help you find the best/safest route for your commute. You can also visit www.gmap-pedometer.com to map out your own route and discover how many miles you are going to ride and how many calories you will burn.  Tracking your Progress- You can log onto any of the following websites to track how many miles you have ridden, how much money you have saved, how much CO2 you have saved from entering the atmosphere and how many calories you have burned. www.rtcwashoe.greenride.com, www.gmap-pedometer.com, www.ativsolutions.com/calculator/ Ways to Make Bicycle Commuting Easy and Comfortable  Find a bike. Almost any bike will do, a half-dozen different kinds of bike will fit the bill. If you don’t already have a bike, an old mountain bike, a well-worn 3-speed, a forgotten beach cruiser, or an old-school 10-speed will each make a fine commuter bike, given the proper maintenance.  Pump up the tires, lube the chain, check the brakes … or if you’re not mechanically inclined, take the bike down to your friendly local bike shop and have them give it the once-over. Tell them you’re planning to start riding to work; some bike shops offer a commuter special to folks like you.  Buy a few necessary things for a preparedness kit, like a spare tube, a patch kit, a set of plastic tire levers, a simple pump, and a multi-tool. Consider investing in a cable lock or U-lock and a flashing red taillight.  Learn how to change a flat tire- attend a bicycle maintenance clinic or ask your local bike shop to show you how. Carry a cell phone with you in case you need to get a ride.  Find a place for your new preparedness kit, either in a backpack or bike bag.  Find your helmet and wear it!!!  Find a velcro strap or a metal clip to attach around the cuff of your right pant-leg so you don’t get any clothing stuck in the chain or sprocket. In a pinch a rubber band will do, or you can be truly stylish and roll up your right pant leg.  Be aware of the weather. Dress accordingly and be ready for things to change. No special clothing is required; wear more-or-less what you would wear normally, given the forecast, with a little more wind protection since you will be going so fast. A compact rain jacket is a nice addition to your preparedness kit.  If getting to work sweaty is a concern and your work does not have an accessible shower, there is simple way to make it work- slow down. If you plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get to work, you can take it slow and easy. This will make it much less likely that you will arrive at work soaked with sweat.  Carry a change of clothes. If you need to dress at work in a style that is not suitable to riding a bike, bring a change of clothes with you or stash a week’s worth of clothes at the office.  Put your hands on the bars, throw a leg over the bike, and PEDAL! You’ll remember how.  Take your bike inside and stash it somewhere secure, or find a safe place to lock it up outside. Start work feeling happy and alive. Reflect positively on the fact that you’re now a part of the solution! Bike to Work Day Sample Newsletter Article Want to get into shape, save money and minimize your impact on the environment? Riding your bicycle to work is a great way to accomplish all three at once! If you’ve never ridden your bicycle to work it might sound a little intimidating, but Bike to Work Day on May 15 is the perfect opportunity to give it a try. Plus you could win $500 toward the purchase of a new bike! Tires flat…bike covered in dust?  Get a free safety check at a Reno area bike shop. (Visit the Bike to Work Day website www.bikenevada.org for a list of participating shops.) Not an experienced cyclist?  Start riding now to get your legs and lungs into shape. Start with just a mile or two and work up to your commute distance.  If you’re not sure how long your commute will take by bike, consider taking a practice ride to work on your day off.  Try to find a bike-buddy so you don’t have to go it alone. See www.rtcwashoe.greenride.com  Local bike shop employees can be a great help in selecting a good bike route. Commute too long?  Pedal to a bus stop and take RTC RIDE the rest of the way. All the buses have bike racks!  Drive to work and ride your bike home one day, then bike to work the next day and drive home, and so on…this way you only have to ride the one-way distance per day. Still need more reasons?  Get a free cup of coffee at a participating Commuter Coffee Shops during your twowheeled commute. (See www.bikenevada.org for a list of participating coffee shops.)  Register on the Bike to Work website and you’ll be entered into a community raffle with the chance to win $500 toward the purchase of a bicycle of your choice! Important Safety Tips!  Protect your head. Wear a helmet. Did you know that wearing a bicycle helmet can reduce head injuries by 85%? Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on the head.  Make eye contact with drivers. Assume that drivers don’t see you until you are sure they do. Eye contact is important with any driver that might pose a threat to your safety.  Stay alert and always check traffic. Always look left-right-left to ensure that it is safe to proceed, and walk your bicycle into the street to begin your ride. Watch for left or right turning traffic.  Obey traffic signs and signals. Traffic laws apply to bicycles, too. Observe stop signs, traffic lights and other posted signs. Be sure to signal turns, lane changes, and stops.  Go with the flow. Never ride against traffic. Motorists aren’t looking for bicyclists riding on the wrong side of the street. Ride on the right side of the road in a straight predictable path. Avoid the high gas prices by pedaling past the pump. Burn calories, not carbon!