eofelis 

After almost 3 years of unemployment/underemployment (mostly unemployment) and have a regular full time job again. It's a somewhat cushy desk job, and it pays more than the last full time job I had (!). It's an easy 3 mile commute by bike. A little hilly but no big deal. It's on the 3rd floor of a big office building and no one has a problem with me bringing my bike in. I ride up on the elevator with it. Plenty of wall space in the small cube farm for bike parking.

This job's office will be moving in August to a new building right in downtown and it will be a 2 miles (at most) commute for me with no hills at all. The only problem is that they tell me that the lease on the new building says no bikes in the building. My bosses seem very supportive of my riding so I'm hoping they might be able to talk to the building owner to waive that rule. I really don't want to leave my nice commuter bike locked up outside. My Plan B is to get a $50 junker bike that can be left outside all day, just to make the trek (no pun intended) downtown and back. Heck, 2 miles is even easy walking distance. I may walk to work some days.

The mission of this company is energy savings. They crunch the numbers for utility use in schools and retail stores so the people running the buildings can see how they consume the energy and make changes to use less of it. I'm doing my part to walk the talk on saving some energy. When my co-workers saw my bike they started talking to me about bikes and some of them are starting to think about trying to ride to work.

ThermionicScott 

Very cool. Congrats, @eofelis!

MikeOK

Congrats on the new job! I used to commute on my downhill mtn bike lol. It was 2.5 miles by bike, or a 15 mile drive by car. There are disadvantages in riding vs driving, the main things are you need to leave a little earlier in case you get a flat and extra time to wash the stink off after you arrive. I'm sure they all thought I was a goon but I didn't care. I worked in a control center for an electric utility, so it required shift work. For this I needed lights for the back shifts but riding at night or early mornings got a little more complicated. I bet they will disregard the no bike rule for you.

RunForTheHills

You might be able to take a folding bike into the new building. Especially if you cover it before entering. The building I work at now has some bike lockers they rent out and also a bike cage inside the parking garage.

rec

Sounds like a really cool job, congrats. Hope that you're able to bring your bike inside the new office. Or at least find a place inside the building that's safer than locking up outside. Some cities, such as SF, have requirements that office buildings have to provide safe indoor bike parking.

Cigarguy

Awesome dude. I love commuting to work. After the first month, especially on a nice day, you might find the ride from work is a little short and just continue riding. Hopefully it works out at the new office space but if not a $50 junker works.

52telecaster

awesome job man, bike commuting feels so good. love it when others get inspired. your doing good work for the planet too!

mcours2006

Congrats on the new job.

For two miles I'd just either walk or get that $50 beater, lock it and forget about it. If it gets nicked you can always just walk home. It's nice to work so close to home.

RubeRad

Congrats, man! It seems that, with the company being pro-cycling, and being Western CO and all, they'd be able to work something out. Maybe the company can work with the owners to figure out a specific place bikes can be stored indoors, or cost-share the building of a secure bike shed outside, or something.

Meanwhile, sure, get a beater, make it as ugly and distinctive as possible (spray paint it camo, cover it with stickers and duct tape, etc...).

I tell you what, our family beater is one of the smoothest rides we have. It's a GT Backwoods, probably from the 90s, 3x8 (or is it 3x7?) drivetrain, and what made all the difference in the world was putting slicks on it. Nashbar Slick City 26x1.5, and that thing rolls smooth like butta, but it's ugly as sin and nobody would ever think of stealing it!

I-Like-To-Bike

You probably will not need all the luggage bags, cycling shoes, etc. for such use. Agree that any any bicycle that is capable of forward motion should be suitable for such an easy commute, and simpler and cheaper is preferable if all day outside parking is necessary.

no motor?

Congrats on the new job. My commute has changed over the years from about 6 to 3 3/4 to 2 miles now. I still ride when I can, but I also walk some days. Walking takes more time, but it gives me more flexibility when I want to stop at the grocery store on my way home or if I'm worried about the weather.

It still seems like I'm just getting warmed up when I get to work now after a years worth of shorter commutes, but it's still good for my health and still fun.

rumrunn6

congrats on the job! that sounds amazing! don't mess up! only kidding

what about when it's a mess? like days with rain & snow? I can see why an office bldg wouldn't want bikes inside. kinda like pets in a hotel room. my last place had a loading dock that was sheltered from weather. I was able to lay out cardboard for it to drip dry during the day before riding home again at night

TaintedRide

Welcome back man! It really does feel great to be on the bicycle every day. I really enjoy it because it doubles as my fitness and transportation!

eofelis 

Update: My workplace has moved it's office to the new location in the downtown area. It's 1.6 miles from my home. I have walked there twice, a nice walk through a college campus and quiet neighborhoods. It's a very easy bike ride. No problems bringing my bike in and parking it right in my office. My half hour 1 mile lunch walk down Main St is very nice every day.

One of my co-workers (sort of the VP of the small company) brought his bikes in for my boyfriend to tune up for him.

GeneO 

Congrats! Hope it works out that you can keep your bike inside. I know I wouldn't be commuting if I couldn't as I ride a pretty expensive commuter/adventure bike. Good luck man!

HardyWeinberg

Yay!