News from King County Department of Transportation
Release date:  August 21, 2008

Save money, stay healthy, and earn a new bike

King County and partners launch new bicycle commuting program

Remember when you had to save up your allowance for a new bike? Now, a new project to reduce traffic congestion is offering bicycle commuters a free ride, if they take a pledge to drive less and bike more.

The Green Bike Project will provide commuter bicycles, tune-ups, training, and gear for up to 300 commuters in exchange for the pledge to reduce drive-alone trips by 60 percent between now and May 2009. The project is a partnership between King County Metro Transit, the Washington State Department of Transportation, Cascade Bicycle Club, and outdoor gear retailer REI.

"From personal experience I know bicycle commuting is a great way to improve your health, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money,” said King County Executive Ron Sims, who has lost 40 lbs. since he started biking more often during the past two years. “We want to help people find out what a great commute option this can be, and give them the tools and training to ride safely.”

The Green Bike Project partners are working with local employers who want to help their employees cut back on transportation costs and improve their health. Employers who have already signed on include: Foss Maritime; Expedia; PATH; the city of SeaTac; ZymoGenetics; Perkins Coie; Boeing; the city of Kirkland; the city of Kent; Univar USA; North Seattle Community College; Cutter and Buck; REI; Washington Department of Ecology; the Fairmont Hotel; Quadrant Homes; the city of Renton and Swedish Medical Center.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is providing funding for the project from the Trip Reduction Performance Program, a program that pays for projects that reduce the number of commuters who drive alone.

“Removing commute trips from the road is a quick and cost-effective way to help balance demand and capacity on the highway system, particularly during rush hour,” said Brian Lagerberg, WSDOT Assistant Public Transportation Director and Commute Trip Reduction Board Chair. “Choices made by commuters have huge impacts on our transportation system, our environment and the quality of life in Washington state.”

REI is contributing 200 discounted Novara commuter bicycles for the project, and each come with a free tune-up. Additionally, REI is contributing 100 tune-ups for people who already have bikes but want to participate in the Green Bike Project.

“REI is proud to partner with King County on the Green Bike Project,” says Lee Fromson, vice president for REI Gear & Apparel. “The Puget Sound region is prime for bike commuting, and an initiative such as the Green Bike Project supports our goal of getting as many people on bikes as we can.”

The Cascade Bicycle Club will provide the training and education to teach the new cyclists how to commute safely on two wheels, and make sure they know all the rules of the road about cycling.

“As a transportation solution, bicycling is a critical piece of this region’s puzzle. It reduces consumption of resources, improves the air we breathe, and promotes healthy lifestyles,” said Chuck Ayers, executive director of the Cascade Bicycle Club. “When employees learn that their workplace supports bike commuting through training programs, safety classes, and other incentives, they are much more likely to try riding to work.”

The Green Bike Project is geared toward major employers in King County who are required by law to have an employee commute program. Employers must have five to 15 employees willing to participate to be eligible. The employers are also asked to provide: secure bicycle parking; access to showers and lockers; appoint an in-house coordinator for the project and provide bicycle gear, tools or an incentive to all of their bicycle commuters. There is still time for a limited number of employers to join the project.

“Employers who support bike commuting at their worksites will find it helps them reduce the carbon footprint of their own business, and will probably also see reduced parking and employee healthcare costs,” said Sims.

Employers who want more information about the Green Bike Project can contact Susan Whitmore, with King County’s Commute Trip Reduction Services, at (206) 684-1057 or by email at: susan.whitmore@kingcounty.gov.