Congratulations to EasyStreet Online Services, the first and only official Bike Friendly Business in Beaverton. Like the League of American Bicyclists’ Bike Friendly Communities program, the Bike Friendly Business program recognizes employers’ efforts to encourage bike commuting at the workplace and offers resources and assistance for businesses to become even more accessible and friendly to cyclists.
Four Oregon businesses received awards in the first BFB cycle. Click here to see how Oregon matches up to other states.
John Beaston, VP of Customer Services at EasyStreet and a BTA Board member, recently spoke with me about what it’s like to be a bike friendly business in Beaverton.
MM: How many employees work at EasyStreet? How many bike commuters?
JB: I can tell you we were never a contender for the Bike Commute Challenge Awards. We have about 40 employees, most of whom live in Beaverton but some live as far away as Astoria and Salem. 10% of our employees commute daily year-round, while 15% commute once per week and 25% commute once per month in the summer. Several others keep a bike at the office to do lunchtime rides.
Where do the regular bike commuters come from?
North Portland, Beaverton and Aloha.
Why did you decide to apply for the LAB award?
It’s a bit of a challenge to be a bike-friendly business in Beaverton because bike commuting just isn’t part of the corporate culture here on the westside. We were actually the only Beaverton business to apply at all. Now we’re thinking about how we can promote the BFB program in the community as a way to encourage other local businesses to become more bike-friendly.
So what was in your application?
EasyStreet donates colocation, website hosting and internet access services to many of the local bicycling advocacy, racing and community organizations, including Cycle Oregon, several race teams and the statewide racing organization OBRA. We regularly donate free rides on Cycle Oregon for bike organizations to use in fundraising or to reward volunteers. I am a volunteer with the Community Cycling Center and a BTA Board Member.
In terms of encouragement, we participate in the BTA’s annual Bike Commuter Challenge and Westside Transportation Alliance’s annual Carefree Commuter Challenge, and we promote National Bike to Work Day. We encourage participation in all of the local bicycling events such as Providence Bridge Pedal.
EasyStreet offers a guaranteed ride home program for bike commuters in case of inclement weather or emergencies. We acknowledged that while our office is located in a typical suburban business park that is poorly served by transit and bike routes, we are working with WTA to improve bike access and safety. We allow employees to bring their bikes into their cubes, and we provide bike lockers, showers, and maintenance supplies like tools, pumps and tubes.
Education is important to us, and we take advantage of alternative commute training provided by the Westside Transportation Alliance. Our safety guidelines include information on sharing the road with bicyclists, and we also support a mentorship program that helps partner new bike commuters with experienced ones.
Did the application ask if you’ve set a target for bike use?
Yes, we have a corporate goal of 20% participation in the Bike Commute Challenge.
How did the League of American Bicyclists respond to your application?
The BFB gave us the Bronze award because key components of a bicycle friendly business are in place, especially in our support of bike organizations, executive staff that commute by bike, and an on-site shower facility. But there is more to be done to reach the Silver level.
What did they say EasyStreet could do to get the Silver award next time around?
They suggested we sponsor recreational rides for employees during lunchtime or send a team from EasyStreet to participate in events like the Portland Century ride. We’ve started leading a lunchtime ride every two week and encouraging staff participation. They also suggested providing basic bike repair tools and a company bike for people to use for short errands, and we’ve done those things.
Then they recommended financial incentives, such as money for a bike or bike accessories for employees who pledge to bike at least twice a week.
Is EasyStreet open to providing financial incentives?
A recent employee commute survey found that $5 a day would get more people to commute by bike. We’re looking into resources to fund this type of program.
What did your employees think about getting the Bronze award?
They thought it was neat to get an award, and now we have a certificate to display on the wall.
It would be nice if they actually had a place for customers to secure a bike. I have to drive there every day because they don’t even have a rack!