Employer Resources

Help your employees prepare for a better commute

Downtown Seattle’s bus tunnel is being prepared for light rail, an improvement that will make commuting better for tens of thousands of people, helping both our community and environment. The tunnel closes in September 2005, and your employees need to be prepared. Help your employees find additional ways to get to work by encouraging them to commute by bicycle.

Are you prepared? Are your employees?

Help your employees get prepared by hosting bicycle commuter classes.

Host a free lunchtime informational seminars. These free informational seminars are offered during the noon hour at or near downtown workplaces. This overview of bicycle commuting helps your employees find out if commuting by bicycle is for them.

Host a three-hour class. These classes help your employees learn more about what it takes to commute by bicycle. For those who feel like they’re ready to try it, but need a few pointers, this class covers the basics, including:

• safe bicycle operations in traffic
• strategies for carrying items (work clothes/work items)
• riding at night and in foul weather
• using bike racks on buses
• minor bicycle repairs

The three-hour class also includes an optional on-road skills session immediately following the class.

We need your conference room

In order for these seminars and classes to be successful, we need your help. We’re looking for buildings and businesses downtown to host lunchtime seminars and three-hour classes. See the schedule of classes, or host a lunchtime seminar and corresponding three-hour class at your building. Contact us for more information.

Suggestions for hosting classes

• Provide refreshments for participants during the classes
• Offer giveaways to participants to boost attendance
• Allow classes to be open to employers from other nearby offices
• Allow enough advance notice for your employees to arrange their schedules
• Put announcements in office newsletter or email, and put up posters in employee break rooms
• Schedule classes fully or partially during the workday and offer to pay your employees time

Promotional materials for your office or building

In order for these seminars and classes to be successful, we'd like to help you advertise your session. We can offer posters to advertise classes, text for your employee newsletter or intranet, information from our vast bicycle library and our website, and even Route Advisors to help new riders find their way. Contact us to order posters and other materials to promote the Bicycle Commuting Classes at your building or office.

Suggestions for what you can provide your employees

• Flexible schedules/15-minute grace for bicycle commuters
• Bus passes for a bus/bike combo commute
• Parking cash-out for bicycle commuters
• Showers, or membership to a nearby gym
• Lead by example! Commute by bicycle at least one day per week and create a culture of acceptance

* These classes are free and put on by the Cascade Bicycle Club, in partnership with the city of Seattle. The $20 deposit is fully refundable and holds your place in the class. The Cascade Bicycle Club would be delighted if, after completing the class, you choose to donate your deposit to help support the work of the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation. Donations to the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.