Commuting - Bike commuting advantages to employers - links?

At my company more folks are starting to bike commute, Unfortunately the "problem" of more people biking has caused the "no bikes inside" crap, but with some positive information I'm sure I can secure a separate place. Just need to address it in a positive way.

I'd like to put together some brief info in hopes of creating a small indoor bike room (in garage or somewhere).

Health benefits, reduced sick time, mentally sharp. We already have a gym and locker room (showers), but the "bikes are for fun and not work" mentality still prevails. AND need info on why it's a bad idea to leave bikes outside DURING work day. (Rain, rust, sun damage, vandalism, theft, etc)

Any web sites or links? Such as these I found in google news:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20060522.COCYCLING22/TPStory/Business
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic/story/6411912p-6268086c.html
http://www.mailtribune.com/archive/2006/0616/life/stories/bike-commutin_-bk-out.htm
http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/443153.html

Anyone one have some, perhaps more health related? Thanks!

found another http://www.biketraffic.org/biketraffic/BT0805/room.html

Will probably suggest a few wall mounted racks. A huge designated room isn't needed, but wall mounted racks would be cool.

Any added productivity by means of fewer sick days and an active brain first thing in the morning, will be offset by surfing BF all day. :D

Seriously though, nice links, good luck with your quest.

Some good info here -- http://www.bikeleague.org -- in the "WHY RIDE" section. Goes through health benefits, environmental benefits, etc.

Not sure where you work (location as well as company and what type of company) but I live in Sillycon Valley and image is everything here. People will literally drive themselves into massive debt just to own that shiny BMW and park it in the driveway of a home in a neighborhood with a prestigious zip code. Let's not forget the golf clubs in the trunk. With that said, it comes as no surprise that a lot of companies have the same mentality. I work at a big corporation which I will keep nameless, but they discourage bike parking outside because riding a bike other than for fun is considered slummy. So they provide nice, secure bike lockers tucked away in inconspicuous areas between buildings. Or you can park them in your office. However they don't want them parked in front of the buildings. Don't want to look like they're employing riff-raff, ya know. :rolleyes: Ironically, they do like to boast about the number of employees who take "alternative forms of transportation" since driving gas guzzling vehicles are starting to become socially incorrect these days.

So maybe you can tell them that parking bikes outside will make the company look more like they're in the slums. Don't know what's the most politically correct way to convey the message.

Don't want to look like they're employing riff-raff, ya know. :rolleyes:

Yeah it looks better if you've got empty McDonald's bags in the trash bin outside. ;) :rolleyes:

There are only 5 or 6 regular riders where I work. 120 or so people in this building. A couple people lock up outside. The rest of us bring our steeds in to our cubes. One woman is a triathelete with a very nice road bike. I'm known as the crazy guy who rides when it's 10 below zero (F!) and snowing, and the others just ride in when they feel like it.

Not sure where you work (location as well as company and what type of company) but I live in Sillycon Valley and image is everything here. People will literally drive themselves into massive debt just to own that shiny BMW...

Ergo, more coveted indoor/conspicuous/whatever parking spots for cars when bikes are accommodated.

And be sure to mention that road bikes can run into the $3000-5000 range. That might be appealing to the image-conscious cagers. Just don't mention the fact that most commuters make fun of them.

I was at the info table for the local bike coalition and they had a great handout with the top 10 reasons for bike commuting, and ways to get over excuses for not doing it. Lemme see if I can dig it up on the web ...

ETA: Here's a version of it. I guess it's not employer-oriented, but the info about hygeine (leaving clothes at work, clean sweat. etc.) might be helpful if the employer is concerned that the dress code will degrade if there are more bikers ... not that dress codes are a good thing in my book if you're not dealing directly with customers or the public, but some employers care. http://www.dot.state.co.us/BikePed/OvercomingExcuses.htm

Any added productivity by means of fewer sick days and an active brain first thing in the morning, will be offset by surfing BF all day. :D

Took the words right out of my mouth!!

How about reduced health insurance claims due to more healthy employees?

My company doesnt allow bike commuting:( I do it anyway though and no one has said a thing about me keeping my bike in the office. Must have something to do with the average employ turnaround time being eight weeks!
FWIW: I work with people who have mental handicaps and sometimes need to transport them which is why no bike commuting. There is a van provided though....

Thanks for the info - the bikeleague site is a good one. It's such a non-issue- it should be simply ride stash your bike and work, and reverse. But this help me help others

thanks!