Commuting - what would YOUR office be like...

ok, how's this for a great situation. My firm is building a new studio here in NYC (down in soho) and I get to plan it. That's right - I'm the boss. I've already gotten approval for a shower, & bikes are allowed in the elevator. What else can I do? ( I'll never get a chance like this again!)


c'mon - gimme some ideas!

Lockers, or barring that at least a clothes rack where folks can hang their stuff to dry. It's just nice to have a place to hang a nice change of office wear. But without a doubt the shower and being able to bring bikes inside are the two biggies. I'm sure some folks will be asking if you're hiring soon.

Bikers jacuzzi and a Rooftop velodrome track?

Seriously though, maybe Bike lockers? It would be awful nice not having to worry about your steed getting scratched or stolen or have to deal with a big n nasty chain. Make one of Recumbent sized while you are at it :)

Bicycle hangars on pulleys. You could bring your bike inside and then hoist it up to get it out of the way.

Put the showers in rooms by themselves—no toilets. Around here in the morning, there are folks who take a book or magazine into the john and settle in for a good long, um, read. Meanwhile, cyclists stand in the hallway with their clothes and toiletries waiting. And waiting.

Good ventilation in the shower area... nothing worse than trying to get dressed while the room is hot and steamy.

Quality water... don't know how you do it in NYC, but get good water coolers and plenty of them with good quality water.

Snack machines with fruit instead of just chips and candy.

Nice big lockers to allow for helmets and gear etc to be locked up safely. Good ventilation to combat the possible smell of sweaty clothes.

a place inside to lock up bikes. Maybe even a floor pump that is there for the commuters to use.

Ice machine and filter/bottled water.

A video-monitored lockup room with some sort of racks bolted to the wall that you can chain your bike up to. That way you don't have to worry about some sleaze in the garage lifting your bike, or the office jokester "moving" your bike or doing weird stuff to it.

A couple of years ago, one of the premier pests in my office nabbed my bike while I was in our auxiliary building, toted it up to the break room, and covered it, end to end in those miniature Post-It notes. There were about four Posties on each spoke, as well as posties on every other available surface. Goodness only knows how long it took him, or how many postie blocks it consumed, but I was fairly irritated, firstly because he jacked around with my bike, and secondly, because I'm the dork who has to put in all the supply requisitions.

A video-monitored lockup room with some sort of racks bolted to the wall that you can chain your bike up to. That way you don't have to worry about some sleaze in the garage lifting your bike, or the office jokester "moving" your bike or doing weird stuff to it.

A couple of years ago, one of the premier pests in my office nabbed my bike while I was in our auxiliary building, toted it up to the break room, and covered it, end to end in those miniature Post-It notes. There were about four Posties on each spoke, as well as posties on every other available surface. Goodness only knows how long it took him, or how many postie blocks it consumed, but I was fairly irritated, firstly because he jacked around with my bike, and secondly, because I'm the dork who has to put in all the supply requisitions.

Not that it's not annoying, but you have to admit now that it's pretty freaking funny. It reminds me of that guy who covered his friends apartment, and everything in it in aluminum foil. And not for nothing, but someone has to like you a little bit to put that much time into a prank. If he was just a jerk he would have just hidden your bike or covered it in rubber cement. Did you at least get a picture of it? I would have ridden off and seen how long they stayed stuck.

One more addition, if you're feeling ambituous would be a washer and dryer, or at least the dryer. Nothing worse than putting on wet gear at the end of the day.

How many people are working in your office, and how many of them are likely to ride to work? Will strangers (potential bike thieves) have access, in which case you need bolts or rings for locks, or is it safe enough that you can arrive, and leave your bike? Are you talking one big open plan office, or individual ones? If the former, what about a parking corner, with a concrete floor, a pump and some space to fix a flat or whatever else needs to be fixed. If it's individual offices, each one could have something useable as a bike space -- it could be the window sill (my favorite parking spot), the space behind a desk or a cabinet, or whatever the architects can come up with. More practically you need anti-scuff paint on the all walls, so it's easy to get the inevitable tire marks off, and reinforced edges on the corners so people don't ding them with their pedals.

I agree a space (doesn't have to be large) to do at least minor maintenance would be excellent. Other than that, a shrine to Fauto Coppi and an industrial-grade espresso maker.

The number one thing I wish my workplace had is a lockerroom with showers... that would be awesome!

I have to admit, you have a some good ideas flowing here. I am lucky that my office is in a building (steam plant) where I am by myself. My office is big enough with a tiled floor, so I can set up my trainer on the night shifts and get in a few extra miles if I like. Especially if it is raining, and I want to drive to work.
I have my own bathroom and shower, with a locker for all my gear.
Plus, I just keep my bike in my office next to my computer. My building has 18" thick steel reinforced concrete walls, and heavy steel doors with industrial locks. It's like working in a bunker. (It's actually a CD approved bomb shelter) No one around, or even able to steal my bike. I love this job. :D

Not that it's not annoying, but you have to admit now that it's pretty freaking funny. It reminds me of that guy who covered his friends apartment, and everything in it in aluminum foil. And not for nothing, but someone has to like you a little bit to put that much time into a prank. If he was just a jerk he would have just hidden your bike or covered it in rubber cement. Did you at least get a picture of it? I would have ridden off and seen how long they stayed stuck.

That is true, and in retrospect is is MUCH more humorous than it was on that particular day! I think he was inspired by the aluminum foil dude. And yeah, this guy and I have a pretty good rapport. I got back at him by taking the wheels off his office chair when he went on vacation and hiding them around his office like Easter eggs.

Unfortunately, there is no photo of my bike bedecked in posties. It was before I owned a digital camera.

My ideal office would be pretty much exactly like my office currently is.

I'm in the corner office, on the second floor of a two-story building. One wall is a sloped skylight/window that extends the full length of the wall. On the second wall is a huge window, almost floor to ceiling. The other two walls are between the offices on either side of me. So I get tons of natural light and can see out! I hate being stuck into a dark corner somewhere like I was during the last year of my last job.

My company encourages us to exercise, and therefore encourages us to commute to work by bicycle. I am allowed to bring my bicycle into the building, and to use the elevator to bring it up to the second floor. My office is quite large, and so my bicycle stands comfortably in the corner with logs of extra room around it.

There are only two things I would change: I would have showers in my building, and I would turn the huge window (not the skylight-type one) into patio doors so I could go out onto the roof of the bit of the first floor that sticks out right in front of that window. And I would probably try to arrange it so that my computer could be set up out there on nice sunny, warm days. :)

I'm going to miss that place!!

Make sure there are plugs in the dressing area for a hair dryer. :) Mirrors and a counter and sink would also be nice.

A lighted heated wash station with hoses and drains for washing off your bike?

Large, full-length lockers capable of holding a couple of jackets or suits without being wrinkled, along with shelves for shirts and bicycling clothing.

An account with a local laundry and drycleaner that will deliver and billing through the office.

A secure storeroom for bicycles with keycard access.

I'd love a Nap Room: 2 or 3 chaise longues! (I had to look up this spelling, so here's the definition, while I'm at it: "A reclining chair with a lengthened seat that supports the outstretched legs.) Northern Illlinois University had a room by the ladies' room that had chairs and chaise longues. I loved being able to stop by for a 20 minute nap in the middle of the day. I work in downtown Minneapolis now. We've often said we'd make a killing if we opened a Nap Shop. How many square feet do you have to incorporate all of our great ideas?

The overhead bike pulley's not a good idea if it's gonna be over something you wanna keep clean, especially on rainy days.
What'll be nice is a dedicated place to park bikes with secure lock-up. Maybe 2-3 shower stalls (Depending on how many bike commuters) with 2 partitions separated by shower curtains, the inner one for the shower, the outer one to get dressed. Well ventilated, of course.
And maybe a small area with a drain near by for people to hose off their bikes in nasty weather.
A clothes line near a fan would be nice for people to hang their crap up to dry.
Small lockers for people to keep their stuff.
You lucky bastard... where can I apply for a job? :)

A video-monitored lockup room with some sort of racks bolted to the wall that you can chain your bike up to. That way you don't have to worry about some sleaze in the garage lifting your bike, or the office jokester "moving" your bike or doing weird stuff to it.

A couple of years ago, one of the premier pests in my office nabbed my bike while I was in our auxiliary building, toted it up to the break room, and covered it, end to end in those miniature Post-It notes. There were about four Posties on each spoke, as well as posties on every other available surface. Goodness only knows how long it took him, or how many postie blocks it consumed, but I was fairly irritated, firstly because he jacked around with my bike, and secondly, because I'm the dork who has to put in all the supply requisitions.

I agree, that would have been extremily funny to have seen, and even more fun to had participated in the decoration of it. I bet now you look back and laugh about it. If my co-workers did something like that to my bike I would have laughed my self silly while taking off all those posties. By the way, I also keep my bike in my office.

I've been fortunate, all the places I worked in allowed me to bring the bike right into the office. But the best thing to have for the office bike commuter is a shower, locker room area (probably in with the shower), and then either a seperate room where all bikes can be placed and only those with bikes have the key or pass thus the room is always locked, or allow the bikes to be taken right into the employees office. If you go with a seperate room you could have bike racks installed in the room so the commuters could lock their bikes to the rack if their still worried about security, otherwise the racks would serve as keeping the bikes standing neatly up. I never had a locker or shower area so I used the mens restroom and did a bird bath type of wash up and threw my bike clothes and helmet into a backback which I stored also in my office. Usually on a Monday or Friday I brought my business clothes in that I would need for the week in my car and removed the used ones.

Full size refrigerator, have a larger door installed that will allow the easy transportation of the bike into the bike parking area, easy rack inside for bikes, small electric air pump with pressure gauge, a grease area where one could work on a bike that is wet, dirty, oily that is easily cleaned, a hose with floor drain for the snow/slush rides, a communal bike shop with spare tubes, tools, place to dry out cycling clothes that were worn on the ride to work, a bulletin board for posting swaps, specials, rides, etc.

Essentials: 1) Showers & changing area (ideally 2 for a small office, or at least one with an occupied sign and a lock for privacy), 2) secure parking for bikes. Equipment lockers, drying racks, parts cache/tools, energy drinks/bars are nice to haves but not essentials. Make sure bike access is written into the lease.

Bonus - the showers/changing area will help recruit the joggers, walkers, and maybe a few more bus/subway commuters (as if anyone would willingly drive into SOHO in the first place!).

Bonus #2 - Does NYC provide incentives for offices that encourage 'alternative" transportation? Does the firm's employee medical insurance get a discount for encouraging health-enhancing activities?

Good luck!

The number one thing I wish my workplace had is a lockerroom with showers... that would be awesome!

My workplace has a locker room with showers. You're right. It is.

Wow, i guess i have been taking my workplace for granted. We have a full shower/locker room facility and fitness center, a secure seperate place to store bikes with keycard access and a laundry service with tue/thur pickup/dropoff so i never have to bring my work clothes with me. I just ride in, store my gear in my locker, take a shower and grab my laundry to change into. Theres even an ironing board and iron. I never thought about what it would be like to have to take a "bird bath" in a bathroom sink and keep a backpack full of sweaty chamois at my desk. Dang. I feel for those of you in that situation. I guess the only thing that would be really super duper great is one of those things they have for drying out bathing suits at pools that spins your clothes dry .

Wow, i guess i have been taking my workplace for granted. We have a full shower/locker room facility and fitness center, a secure seperate place to store bikes with keycard access and a laundry service with tue/thur pickup/dropoff so i never have to bring my work clothes with me. I just ride in, store my gear in my locker, take a shower and grab my laundry to change into. Theres even an ironing board and iron. I never thought about what it would be like to have to take a "bird bath" in a bathroom sink and keep a backpack full of sweaty chamois at my desk. Dang. I feel for those of you in that situation. I guess the only thing that would be really super duper great is one of those things they have for drying out bathing suits at pools that spins your clothes dry .

Wow, nice setup... you hiring? Even one of the largest high tech firms in San Diego with great human relations did not have those kind of bennies. Bike Lockers and Shower rooms yes, laundry... no way.

Wow, nice setup... you hiring? Even one of the largest high tech firms in San Diego with great human relations did not have those kind of bennies. Bike Lockers and Shower rooms yes, laundry... no way.


Federal Employee. :)

Federal Employee. :)

Yep, I'm a fed too. No laundry here, but a huge locker room (I have two full sized lockers) and seperate showers for men and women. We have another building not far that has a health club.

Make sure there are plugs in the dressing area for a hair dryer. :) Mirrors and a counter and sink would also be nice.


Hair dryer? What for?

And I don't think I've ever seen a washroom without mirrors and a counter sink. Aren't those just standard features?

For drying hair, of course! I prefer not to teach my classes with wet hair. I don't have a shower but my hair is soaking wet from sweat when I get to work. I rinse it as best I can with a wet washcloth and it looks fine when it dries but that takes awhile. I just bought a compact hair dryer but before I did, I made sure there was actually a plug in the restroom where I have to clean up. And yes, restrooms generally have counters and mirrors but not all locker rooms do.

Good ventilation in the shower area... nothing worse than trying to get dressed while the room is hot and steamy.

Yes, please, if you have any power on this at all, please insist on proper ventilation.

I not once, not ONCE in my whole life, even been in a changing room that has adequate ventilation. It's such obvious stupidity that it makes me despair of the human race.

Although I'll never get to enjoy it, if you're able to then please ensure you have good changing rooms!

I second the wash-station idea. Bicycles enter the building into an anteroom with tile floors and walls, a floor drain in the center, and a sink and hose on one wall. In that room a person can hose off his bike if necessary (in the winter for example). Then he wheels the bike into an indoor bike parking room. If you can't go that far, and have to have outside parking, make sure the bike parking area doesn't look like an afterthought. Have DECENT bike racks, enough of them, in an area under observation to deter theft, and try to have them near the main door with some sort of awning or roof over them so people can park an unload in the rain and go inside without getting wet(ter).

This is an interesting opportunity for an experiment. If you "build it," that is, make facilities that are clearly present for the benefit of bicycle commuters, and that make it easier to commute that way, will "they come," that is, will more people try it. If you do and it does, try to get it written up in the local newspaper or some architecture publication.

It seems there is a lot of lip service to "alternative" transportation but not a lot of real support. I work in a brand new building that replaced an old building. For bike racks, they initially hauled over from the old building the ancient bike rack that was on the grass by the parking lot and set it by the door. Then they bought new bike racks to go with the new building, but they installed them incorrectly so that even thought they bought enough devices to park 48 bikes, the way they installed them allows for only seven. Fortunately only two people out of 500 here ride a bike.

You know the funny thing here is that all of this can probably be done in the space normally dedicated to the parking of 4 cars... I bet you could park 20 bikes in the area it takes to park one car.

have a larger door installed that will allow the easy transportation of the bike into the bike parking area,

another idea for easy transport in/out of bikes is automatic doors,either motion sensor or hospital/handicap style where you hit a button to open the door. i'm able to bring my bike into my office, but it takes a few minuted to wrestle it through after having to do the keypad/id card thing to get the door unlocked