Employers Bike Summit will let businesses share tips on bike-friendly commute programs

Employers Bike Summit

Last year’s summit.
(Photo by J.Maus/BikePortland)

Four panels lined with heavy-hitting employers in Multnomah and Washington counties are lined up for next week’s free half-day summit about the best practices for businesses that want to support bike commuting.

Hosted for the third year by Regence, the regional health insurer affiliated with the Blue Cross-Blue Shield brand, the Portland Employers Bike Summit will also feature a keynote from city Transportation Commissioner Steve Novick.

The event is Friday, May 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Regence’s headquarters, 1621 SW First Ave. Before the event, human-resources and facilities professionals are invited to a free on-site lunch.

Here’s a listing of the breakout sessions planned:

Don’t Sweat the Commute
As the number of people pedaling to work continues to grow, bike gear and worksites are evolving to accommodate the bike commuter. This session covers both tips for biking to work while dressing for success, as well as policies and facilities that employers are offering to support bike commuting by their employees. Presentation includes sample gear from local bike shops and special attention on common concerns of women bike commuters.

Moderators: Rae-Leigh Stark, WTA & Lindsay Walker, Go Lloyd
Panelists:
Amy Long, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon
Hannah Dondy-Kaplan, Bonneville Power Admin.
Grace Cho, Oregon Metro
Martina Fahrner, Clever Cycles
Leah Benson, Gladys Bikes

Workplace Bike Amenities: What’s inside the neighbor’s garage?
This workshop will present the results of the BTA’s Bike Amenities Survey and give participants a snapshot of what different Portland Metro area workplaces are offering to employees to support bike commuting. Hear the stories from a few best in class examples.

Moderator: Stephanie Noll, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Panelists:
Wade Lang, American Assets Trust
Bjorn Freeman-Benson, New Relic
Courtney Martin, Intel- Open Bike Inititave

More Bike Fun at Work
You catch more new commuters with donuts than with preaching. Hear fun examples from workplaces that are great at demonstrating the number one reason to get on a bike: it’s fun. Leave with accessible tools for increasing bike fun (and bike commuting) at your workplace. Whether or not you’re fun now, you’ll be more fun after this workshop.

Moderator: Stephanie Noll, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Panelists:
Birgit Hess and Timothy Morita-McVey, Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon Bike Commute Team
Shanna Brownstein, NW Natural
Theresa Carr, CH2M Hill

Joining Forces with Human Resources
We all know that bicycling makes for healthier employees and fewer sick days. This should make Human Resource professionals and bicyclists natural allies, yet workplace advocates and HR don’t always seem to speak the same language. Learn tips on presenting biking proposals to HR and hear case studies of successful partnerships.

Moderator: Steve Hoyt-McBeth, PBOT
Panelists:
Jodi Wilson, Metro
Jim Maestretti, Regence BlueCross Blue Shield of Oregon
Philip Moran, Stoel Rives

The event’s supporting organizers include Go Lloyd, the Portland Bureau of Transportation and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance. You (or your favorite HR colleague) can preregister now for free on the BTA’s website.

Full disclosure: BikePortland is also a media sponsor of the event. See you there!

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen (Contributor)

Michael Andersen was news editor of BikePortland.org from 2013 to 2016 and still pops up occasionally.

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Steve Hoyt-McBeth-PBOT

For Human Resource professionals, there is also a pre-Summit luncheon. If you have someone in your HR department that you think would benefit or be interested, please let them know. RSVP required: http://bta.nonprofitsoapbox.com/upcoming-events/event/17

Steve Hoyt-McBeth-PBOT

Thanks Michael, I failed to say that Facilities folks are welcome as well.

IanC
IanC
9 years ago

This is a great step forward and I applaud the organizers.

I’ve noticed many people making a bike–>MAX–>bike commute since I started working in Hillsboro. I’d like to see more space on the MAX trains for bikes.

Lynne
Lynne
9 years ago

Employers could allow the contractors to also use the showers and lockers. More car parking spaces for their employees.