Originally Posted by
cradduck
The response I received was disappointing to say the least. Basically the activity and health coordinator stated that "in her experience" bike to work programs never work long term and just fizzle out after a short period of time. That's it.
I thought that a well researched idea would received more than just a simple one scentence disregard for the program. I guess my experience of working with two companies that have similar programs going strong after several years counts for nothing.
In all fairness, I've always been disappointed in the results of bike to work weeks held at places I've worked. Response is nothing short of pathetic.
I think they key is to make things seem normal and easy. The problem is that hard core bike commuters are often regarded by their coworkers as nut job iron men/women or hippies who live in an alternate world.
I do think that employers could make things much less inconvenient for bike commuters. However, even the workplaces that provide showers and secure bike storage often find these facilities severely underutilized.
Wherever I work, my coworkers seem to regard my biking in a very positive light, but they won't do it themselves. Getting past the idea that biking is somehow inconvenient seems to be too much. Traffic doesn't deter them. Expensive parking doesn't deter them. However, I think there is one thing that I think may help some day. It's called $8/gal gas.