I posted this in a thread on the A&S forum, but its such a nice read and resonates that I thought some of you who avoid A&S would enjoy it...

Al

https://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...ikepool19.html

Bicycle commuters showered with perks

Mike Walbert
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 19, 2005 12:00 AM

Paul Sanders leads the way, calling out commands before braking or shifting. Dave Zelinka mans the back, keeping a steady pace.

Don't rub your eyes, the Scottsdale residents really are riding a tandem racing bike together.

To work.

Most of us are aware of carpooling, telecommuting and riding the bus, but Zelinka and Sanders represent a less-recognized subset of Valley commuters that are hitting the road, working up a sweat and receiving more commuter amenities: bicyclists.

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency and Valley Metro unveil the "Best Workplaces for Commuters," recognizing more than 100 Valley employers for their efforts to reduce congestion, air pollution and expenses for nearly 135,000 employees.

More companies these days, including a portion on the EPA's list, are focusing efforts on bicyclists.

"I have the freedom to go just about anywhere," said Dan Knuth, 53, who has been cycling to Scottsdale-based General Dynamics from Tempe for more than 20 years. "If you're in a chain of cars, you're stuck in traffic and you basically follow the leader."

About 3 percent of Valley commuters bike to work. Those who do cite exercise, a break from congestion, avoiding gas prices and getting outdoors as major benefits. At the same time, weather, safety or commute distance can be reasons people may not pedal to work.

In Arizona, workplaces with 50 or more employees are required to offer trip-reduction programs, which can include anything from subsidizing transit costs to doling out random prizes to providing on-site showers for bicyclists.

"We're finding more and more employers are trying to make accommodations for (commuters)," said Betsy Turner, Valley Metro's employer services coordinator who has spearheaded the Valley's "Best Workplaces" program.

Bicyclers commonly aren't guaranteed money incentives, so a crucial component for a successful bike commuter program, participants say, is providing amenities such as shower facilities, lockers and secure bike racks.

At Freescale Semiconductor Inc. in Tempe, where Zelinka and Sanders work, more than 60 employees regularly bike to work. Once they arrive on campus, bicyclists have showers, lockers and locked bike racks at their disposal. As a result, the company found itself on the "Best Workplaces" list for the first time this year.

"It makes it real easy to get cleaned up and get changed and things like that," said Zelinka, 43, who regularly stuffs a backpack with work clothing.

Other employers, like General Dynamics in Scottsdale, offer similar amenities. Officials there report seeing full bike racks many days.

Showers weren't always a luxury for bicyclists.

Jeff Frazier, 47, remembers several years ago when Honeywell's Glendale site didn't have showers, making for an unconventional cleansing.

"That's where you brought the baby wipes and kind of went to the bathroom and cleaned up as best you could," said Frazier, who commutes about 4,800 miles annually from Phoenix.

The company, which has more than 20 regular bike commuters and currently is evaluating its money incentive policy, has since added showers, Frazier said.

Once a week, Zelinka and Sanders bike 24 miles roundtrip, taking about 45 minutes each way. Both mountain biking enthusiasts, they say exercise and the open road got them to break out the tandem last spring. Plus, they thrive on crowd support.

"People are very enthusiastic, typically," Sanders, 58, said. "It's really when we're rolling because we're going fast. People cheer us on."

Turner, who keeps tabs on the bicycling community, said it's difficult to say whether overall bike commuting is up. However, most observers agree numbers generally shift upward once the summer heat relents.Experienced riders are likely to commute, especially because the Valley's average, one-way commuting distance is 12 to 14 miles, which can scare novices off, Turner said.

"As far as bringing in new bike riders, I think what we find is . . . the new people will come out and ride and say, 'This traffic just scares the pants off me,' " she said.

Other factors that keep potential riders away include lack of bike lanes in some areas and even poor training, observers and bikers say.

"A lot of people know how to balance their bike, but they don't really know how to ride their bike," said Bill Lazenby, co-president of the Coalition of Arizona Bicyclists, a statewide advocacy organization.

Some feel people just ought to experience biking to work, especially in the Valley.

"I don't understand why more people don't give it a try because it's flat," Frazier said. "We're not in San Francisco."

Reach the reporter at [go to web article to get address - al]

Good articles on bike commuting in AZ and MA and a terrible one in MI. Some people are willing to give it a fair shake and some aren't and it shows in their writing.