{"id":1396,"date":"2012-12-12T08:00:50","date_gmt":"2012-12-12T16:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wabikes.org\/?p=1396"},"modified":"2014-02-10T15:40:34","modified_gmt":"2014-02-10T23:40:34","slug":"leading-by-example-execs-at-seattle-technology-firm-encourage-a-healthier-commute-by-getting-on-their-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wabikes.org\/index.php\/2012\/12\/12\/leading-by-example-execs-at-seattle-technology-firm-encourage-a-healthier-commute-by-getting-on-their-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading by Example: Execs at Seattle technology firm encourage a healthier commute by getting on their bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guest blogger Kris Barker is one of three co-founders of\u00a0Express Metrix Asset Management Software<\/a>, a technology company located in Seattle, WA.\u00a0 Kris is an avid biker and rower, and is vice captain of San Juan 21 Fleet 1, an active small sailboat racing fleet.\u00a0 When Kris isn’t at work, on his bike, or on the lake, he plays bass and guitar in a band, and sings in a community choral group that raises money for Northwest Harvest.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

L-R: Dawson Stoops, Kris Barker and Jeff Kelsey.<\/p><\/div>\n

Express Metrix is a Seattle software company founded in 2000 by three dedicated outdoor types \u2013 two Washington natives (myself included) and an Alaska transplant.\u00a0 \u00a0Between us, we commute a combined total of 50 miles per day on our bikes, often in the driving Seattle rain.\u00a0 Why do we do it?\u00a0 Apart from the obvious benefits relating to good health and traffic avoidance, it\u2019s the best way to build up a positive mindset for the stresses of the day ahead and release tension on the way home from work.<\/p>\n

We feel so strongly about the benefits of biking that we have put it on our healthy lifestyle agenda for our workforce.\u00a0 This includes reimbursing employees $500 if they purchase a bike, retrofitting our office space to include a shower room and lockers and, of course, leading by example. We have found that it\u2019s not difficult to encourage workers to get out of their cars in favor of healthier commutes, and we are passionate about getting the word out to other employers that there are very easy ways to make it happen.\u00a0 Here are just a few simple tips:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Do it yourself \u2013 show everyone that it can easily fit into the daily routine.<\/li>\n
  • Provide facilities \u2013 somewhere to change, shower and store bikes and equipment.<\/li>\n
  • Offer incentives \u2013 employee loans, equipment subsidies or discount agreements with local bike stores will all work.<\/li>\n
  • Take a personal interest \u2013 talk about it at the water cooler, at lunch, or at informal meetings, and post information on your bulletin boards.<\/li>\n
  • Be enthusiastic and supportive, but don\u2019t evangelize \u2013 biking to work doesn\u2019t have to be all or nothing.<\/li>\n
  • Make it fun \u2013 hold friendly workplace competitions, meet up for coffee on the way to work, or get silly t-shirts printed; it\u2019s a great building block for a strong work culture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    As a result of our efforts, around 20-25% of our employees bike to work regularly even during the cold winter months, with much higher participation during less inclement weather.\u00a0 Not to mention half of our employees participated in Bike to Work Month!<\/p>\n

    I truly believe that supporting healthy ways to work makes the office environment a more vibrant place, and I would encourage anyone with a personal commitment to biking to find ways to promote it at work.\u00a0 Talk to your colleagues, your executives, your HR staff \u2013 but most importantly, get on your bike and lead the charge!<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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