Got your employer to bend?

[thanita]

Lots of talk about how to deal with the inconveniences of commuting - anyone out there start a campaign - successful or otherwise - at work to improve conditions for commuters?

Share your tips and stories - what to do . . . and what NOT to do.
T

[LoneBiker]

Not much, but when i worked at subway/tcby i got to park my bike in the basement while i was at work, and standing in the freezer for a few minutes was a good way to stop the sweat.

And on another note sometimes when i got bored i would go downstairs and ride in circles for a while;)

[hairygrump]

I'm fortunate to work for a University that has a lot of space for (pretty) secure bike locking and good proximity to student health club showers. I usually just cool down and work in the clothes I ride in (again, I'm not a wallstreet guy), but if it's a muddy day or if I take a longer ride and get super sweaty, I have the option. Plus we have secure bike lockers that totally incase your bike and 2 dead bodies (or... uh... that volume anyway).

Yeah... I owe much to commuters that came before me.

I've talked to some folks that work downtown where wrinkles and helmet head are a problem. Their biggest and most useful victory was space to hang a couple days worth of clothes so that they could drive to work on one day (or rock panniers), then have clothes for a week or two. The key there was to explain to the boss (of a consulting firm...) that they were more energetic and happier when they could ride. That happened to fit in with some corporate training thing they'd just gone through about how to enjoy your job more, so the boss was all about it.

So that's the only advice I have... pick those spots like that. If your kind of job deals with those kind of goofy morale things and you can hook biking into it somehow, the guy that can get you and your fellow riders some closet space probably eats that shit up.

[thanita]

Stellar idea - making it sound good for the company (happy workers=more productivity=greater profits) - like you're actually doing them a favor - is an excellent tactic.

And it's true, as well.
T

[jhl99]

When you ride to work in a snowstorm, and you bike is loaded with snow and slush, don't park in the heated area that you normally do that doesn't have a floor drain. Otherwise, you will get a call in about an hour or so about the huge mess you thawed out bike has made!

Fortunately, I work in a manufacturing facility, where a little dirt never hurt anyone.... but after that episode, I'm a little more careful about how much dripping my bike might do.