Sustainability: business, life, environment

"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."  ~Albert Einstein
 
Because most adults spend a majority of their waking hours at work, a sustainable working environment is critical.  The work site, organizational culture and working environment are powerful influences on behavior.   Wellness programs have been used as instruments to address weight reduction, reduced stress levels, improved physical fitness, health, and well being.   But did you know they are also linked to business sustainability programs improving the bottom line? 
 
This week is National Bike to Work Week and bike commuting is a win-win for both businesses and individuals looking to reduce costs, embrace eco awareness, and adhere to wellness programs and   personal sustainability programs. 
 
The post, Top 10 Benefits of Bicycle Commuting Programs for Businesses, explores bike commuting benefits to employers while the post, 10 Reasons to Bike Commute to Work, gives employees ideas and inspiration to ride to work.   But what can a business do to promote and maintain a winning bike commuting culture?  Our business sustainability consulting advocates taking the following eco actions to keep bike commuting fun and safe for employees.
 
Education
•    Offer regular safety classes.
•    Provide lunch and learn opportunities for current topics and discussion.
•    Include information helping motorist and bike commuters to share the road.
•    Participate in bike maintenance classes.
 
Encouragement
•    Offer incentives to ride.
•    Host a CEO led ride.
•    Guarantee a ride home service.
•    Create a company bike club.
•    Celebrate bike to work day or month or create your own company mile markers and celebrate them.

Foundation
•    Make bike parking safe and secure.
•    Provide lockers, showers, and changing areas.
•    Utilize car sharing programs like ZipCar for offsite meetings.
•    Provide a repair station with tools, lubrication, and tubes.
 
Review
•    Get to know your employee's commuting habits: what's working/ what isn't and suggestions for improvement.
•    Set goals: number of commuting miles/ week/ per employee.
•    Appoint a bike coordinator: the go to person for everything bike commuting related.
 
When people ride bikes, good things happen.  "Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world."  ~Grant Petersen