As we gear up for Bike Month in May, we want to demonstrate that people do bike in Bellevue—contrary to what the perception may be. So, we’re running a “Spot a Cyclist Contest” from now until April 17th.  To participate, simply take a photo of a cyclist or evidence of bicycle infrastructure—bike lanes, bike racks, or bicycles around town, and post it to our Facebook page along with your email address. Just for posting, you will automatically win your choice of a Choose Your Way Bellevue pen, tote bag or bike/walk safety light! The best photo of all will make it onto our Bike Month promotional materials (with due credit of course)!

Help us give visibility to our bikers! Spot a cyclist—and win!

The darling of transportation planners and urbanists alike, the bike-share concept is exploding worldwide, as cities as diverse as Minneapolis to Montreal to Mumbai seek to increase bicycle usage and decrease reliance on the automobile, particularly for trips less than three miles. According to Portland Online, Bike Sharing has the ability to “increase number of bicycling trips, introduce new people to active transportation, reduce peak-hour pressure on transit and provide the “last mile” connection between transit stop and final destination, reduce automobile trips, and improve livability.” There are now over 230 bike sharing programs worldwide, and along with them comes an incredible number of success stories: Washington DC’s Capital Bike Share has generated 115,000 trips in just four months, Barcelona’s Bicing has replaced 10% of automobile trips, and Dublin’s DublinBikes has over 40,000 active members.

What does it take to implement a successful bike-sharing program? There as many different models as there are colors with which to paint the bikes! Some are membership only and require a membership Smartcard to check out a bike, though some are credit card or cell phone activated. The most successful programs tend to be a self service model with a progressive rate structure that allows the first 30 minutes of the trip to be free, acting as an incentive to try it out. Another determinant of success is how widely available the bikes are—they must be placed in a high density centers near employment and universities, and their placement must be strategic and convenient. The systems also vary a great deal with regard to their funding sources—some operate as public/private partnerships, some are paid for by exclusive advertising rights on shelters and bikes, and some are the recipients of grant and philanthropic dollars.

Would bike-share be a solution to Bellevue’s traffic woes? Bellevue ostensibly presents a challenge to even the most experienced cyclists because so many of the roadways are designed primarily for cars, with heavy, fast moving traffic at almost any hour of the day. However, what we lack in roadspace we make up for in sidewalks—they’re nice and wide and perfectly legal to ride upon. Another obstacle is the number of hills that grace downtown Bellevue—rendering an intense workout inevitable. But there are a number of innovative new technologies such as the Copenhagen Wheel, which give cyclists a boost when they need it and could be included in the bicycle fleet. And of course there’s the chicken or the egg argument—which comes first, improved bicycle infrastructure, or more cyclists on the streets? Janagram has recognized that a huge part of his programs success is connecting commuters to their ultimate destinations—be it from bus stop to office or park and ride to home—which would be difficult in Bellevue, given the distance from which people commute. But if Janagram’s success is any indication, sometimes all it takes is a good idea and a dedicated individual to get an entire city in motion.

What do you think? Could bike sharing work in Bellevue? Join the conversation!

“The city could see an additional 1 to 3 inches citywide and 2 to 4 inches in the South Bellevue hills prior to Wednesday’s evening commute, with snow and freezing temperatures continuing Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The extended forecast indicates that snow should taper off Thursday afternoon, with clearing and cold temperatures into Friday.”

Seattle’s SDOT crews are also preparing for the worse. According to a City of Seattle news release:

“As of 4 a.m., ten snow plows will hit the streets in the north sector of Seattle and eight plows will move into action in the south sector. Starting at 9 a.m., SDOT will go into a full 24-hour response plan to keep roads open, buses moving and critical emergency services accessible.”

So what is a commuter to do when everyone seems to be awaiting a snowmageddon? Use your best judgment. Whether you have a cross-lake commute, are heading south or north, it’s best to get home safely while the roads are still clear. The conditions are expected to worsen into the evening, so the earlier you leave the better. If your employer allows you to work from home for the last few hours of your day, take advantage of this benefit. And don’t forget to check Metro’s Alerts Center to see if your bus is on emergency snow routing before you leave.

Be safe and good luck out there!

Currently drive alone? Pledge to try a new way of getting to work and take these steps:

1) Fill out and turn in the Way to Work Bellevue sign up form.

2) Look for your sign up confirmation email containing a promotion code. 

3) Register on RideshareOnline.com.

4) Join the Way to Work Bellevue network. Search “Way to Work” under “Profile > My Networks” on RideshareOnline.com. Enter promotion code to join.

5) Begin logging your non-drive-alone commute trips on RideshareOnline.com’s trip calendar.

Just for pledging to try a new commute and registering on RideshareOnline.com, you will automatically receive a $10 gift card! Log 25 days or more of round trip non-drive-along commutes and you will automatically receive a $25 gift card! Monthly drawings for $50 gifts will also be made in February, March and April for those who continue to log their trips at least 3x per week. 

Already ride the bus, carpool, vanpool, bike or walk to work? Pledge to continue commuting the way you do:

1) Fill out and turn in the Way to Work Bellevue sign up form.

2) Look for your sign up confirmation email containing a promotion code. 

3) Register on RideshareOnline.com.

4) Join the Way to Work Bellevue Commute Pros network! Search “Way to Work” under “Profile > My Networks” on RideshareOnline.com. Enter promotion code.

5) Begin logging your non-drive-alone commute trips on RideshareOnline.com’s trip calendar.

Just for pledging to stick to your non-drive-alone commute and registering on RideshareOnline.com, you will automatically receive a $10 gift card! Monthly drawings for $50 gifts will also be made in February, March and April for those who log their trips at least 3x per week!

So what are you waiting for - sign up for Way to Work Bellevue today!

Question 4:  We are concerned about data security and the amount of traffic our Intranet system can handle. Is this typically a major investment that companies need to make associated with telecommuting?

Rick’s Reply: The technology that supports telework/telecommuting programs has not only become much less expensive over the last several years, but it is also much more robust, user-friendly, and in many cases does not require the purchase of new hardware. Financial and health institutions have found that these systems are robust enough to meet federal requirements.  We also work with several architecture and engineering companies that have no problem with data security needs or handling very large drawing files. Other benefits of these systems are that they track and control access to files, provide file revision control and allow employees to be productive while travelling, working remotely and at client sites. Microsoft, Citrix Online, Adobe and other software providers offer online collaboration tools that support teleworkers at a very low price point. If you have more specific questions or would like additional information feel free to contact TAG.

Question 3: We hear about productivity gains from teleworkers.  Where do they come from and has anyone actually measured them?

Rick’s Reply: Productivity gains come from multiple sources.  Teleworkers experience fewer disruptions while they are working allowing them longer periods of concentration.  Teleworkers often have more flexible work hours, allowing them to accomplish job-tasks during their peak work hours.  The ongoing discussion of “morning vs. night” people does have a basis in the fact that some employees may be the most productive in the morning and others late in the afternoon or early evening.  Allowing employees the option of working during these hours, rather than being in the middle of the commute, is likely going to increase the amount of work they accomplish.  Add in more effective time management, reduced absenteeism and the feeling of empowerment they experience and employees experience an almost effortless level of increased productivity.

Many organizations have implemented telework metrics and collect productivity data and/or conduct employee surveys.  Some examples include American Express and Alpine Access who both report an increase of over 25% among teleworking sales and support agents.  Sun Microsystems found that teleworkers contribute 60% of the time that they used to spend commuting getting work done.  Best Buy’s average productivity is up 35% due to their flexible work program.

Name:
Brad Shinn

Employer:
CH2MHILL

Commute Mode:
Bike + ferry + bus 

Distance One-Way:
11 miles on bike, about 30 miles total 

What does your bicycle commute entail?
I start out biking on Vashon Highway to the Fauntleroy or Downtown Ferry. Once I’m off the ferry, I bike to the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel and take the Sound Transit route 550 bus to the South Bellevue Park & Ride and finish off the last mile to the office on my bike. I bike five days a week unless I’m travelling. In the summer I usually add another leg—either Bellevue to Seattle or Seattle to Fauntleroy Ferry. 

How long have you been commuting by bicycle?
I started the day after Memorial Day weekend, three years ago. 

What do you like best about your biking commute?
There is so much I like about it—the time for reflection, the exercise, the feeling that I am minimizing my impact, the reliability. It also a good conversation starter, “you bike from where?” 

What motivates you to continue commuting by bicycle instead of taking another mode?
Believe it or not I started because I was tired of the unreliability of driving and inflexibility of taking the bus. My commute takes no more time than it did when I drove—except now I can control it. 

If you could improve one thing about the biking experience in Downtown Bellevue, what would it be?
I would say for the region, not just Bellevue, separate bike lines and more of them in congested downtown areas. 

What advice would you give to someone considering commuting by bicycle?
Get a good solid bike, spend the extra money on solid components so your bike is tough and reliable. Buy quality clothing that allow you to ride in any kind of weather—if you don’t you’ll find a million excuses not to ride on a rainy day.

Here are the highlights you should know about:

• 25¢ increase in adult fares (Fares for passes and ticketbooks will also increase)
• 25¢ increase in Access fares (Monthly passes will also increase to $45)
• Monthly/Annual Reduced Fare Pass will officially be replaced with PugetPass
• Weekend Day Pass and Sunday/Holiday Family Fare eliminated
• Youth fares and will remain unchanged
• Cash fares will remain at 75¢ for seniors and those who qualify for reduced fare (Monthly passes will be going up);
• Metro-only annual and monthly reduced fare passes will no longer be sold in 2011 (Existing passes will continue to be valid until they expire)

To find out more about how to purchase an ORCA card, visit orcacard.com, or call 1 (888) 988-6722.

For more information about upcoming the Metro fare adjustments, visit metro.kingcounty.gov.

If you’re planning to speak with your boss soon about this increasingly popular alternative commute option, check out these posts where Goodman offeres insight (and some scientific proof!) that you can use to make your telework case stronger:

• How to convince your boss to let you work from home (11/27/10)
• How telecommuting can save your company big bucks (07/02/10)
• Employees, don’t wait for the next Earth Day to green your job (04/24/10)
• Holiday deals for teleworkers seeking office space (12/04/09)
• More ammo for employees hoping to telecommute (11/21/09)
• How much money could working from home save you? (10/11/09)
• How telecommuters can steer clear of layoffs (04/15/09)

If you’ve experimented with teleworking or have done it for years, comment below and let us know how about your experience. What resources were most helpful in making the switch?

You can make a difference by joining go520, the world’s first large-scale real-time ridesharing community. Become a beta user now and you could earn $60 before Christmas, and up to $240 before June 2011. Beta users simply have to use the driver application between now and Christmas, in advance of the official January launch. There are no riders in the system until January so it is the perfect time to get familiar with the application, and get paid for it! Click the I’m Interested button on the go520 website to find out more.

What is Real-time Ridesharing?

Unlike traditional carpools, which must be arranged in advance, real-time ridesharing allows you to share a ride whenever you want, from wherever you happen to be. go520 is powered by Avego Shared Transport, a ridesharing application that dynamically matches drivers and riders in real time. Shared Transport manages your rideshare from pick-up to drop-off, is safe and easy to use, and is already used by thousands of commuters in over 65 countries around the world.

For more information, visit go520.avego.com

Catch a ride: There are over 20 Metro and Sound Transit bus routes coming into the Bellevue Transit Center daily.  Try parking your car at one of the nearby park-and-ride lots such as the South Bellevue, Eastgate, or South Kirkland Park and Ride and take a bus the rest of the way.  Visit tripplanner.kingcounty.gov for trip planning assistance.

Go with a friend: If you have two or more people in your car be sure to utilize the direct access ramp at NE 6th Street off of I-405, as well as the HOV lanes on I-405, I-90 and parts of SR-520.

Avoid popular roads: Driving to the Bellevue Collection?  Save time by skipping the NE 8th Street exit off of I-405 and try the NE 4th Street exit instead.  Or try NE 2nd and NE 10th to avoid backups.

Park “right” at the Bravern: If the Bravern is your destination, be aware that you can only make right turns into the parking garage entrances on 110th Avenue NE (valet only), NE 8th Street or 112th Avenue NE.  If you are traveling west on NE 8th Street, you can legally make a u-turn at the 110th Avenue NE intersection.  Coming from 4th Street, take a right onto NE 10th Street to make a right turn into the garage. 

Park near the park: Free on-street parking is available for up to 2 hours on Main Street in Old Bellevue.  You’ll be just steps from your favorite shops.

Be safe: With even more people out and about, please use caution when making turns and avoid pedestrians.

For information on holiday events in Downtown Bellevue, visit magicseason.com.

According to WSDOT’s Toll Division Director Craig Stone, “Transponder technology has improved dramatically in the last few years. The new portfolio of Good To Go! passes offers a solution for nearly every vehicle and more convenience for drivers who use toll facilities throughout the state.” The new Good To Go! pass products include:

Standard Sticker Pass: A non-movable sticker about the size of a Band-Aid, this compact pass is barely noticeable when attached to a windshield near the rearview mirror. At $5, it’s expected to be the most popular new option.

Standard Movable Pass: Designed for those who want a single pass for multiple vehicles, this product is easy to move between vehicles. The $8 pass adheres to the windshield with Velcro behind the rearview mirror. It must be mounted to work correctly.

Movable Pass with On/Off Option: Ideal for those who carpool in the HOT lanes, this transponder has an on/off switch to deactivate it when driving with a passenger in the HOT lane. This $12 pass also attaches with Velcro to the windshield behind the rearview mirror.

Motorcycle Sticker Pass: This non-transferable sticker pass is transparent and adheres to a motorcycle’s headlamp. It’s virtually invisible once attached. Motorcycle passes will retail for $8.

External Mount License Plate Pass: The external pass might be a good alternative for people looking for something other than a windshield-mounted transponder. This weather-resistant transponder attaches with screws horizontally to the front license plate. While removable, this $12 pass is not intended for frequent switching between vehicles.

Tolling on the existing SR 520 bridge is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2011 and with it comes an expansion of the Good To Go! program already in place on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the SR 167 High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes. Drivers with prepaid Good To Go! accounts travel at highway speeds as the system detects their pass and automatically deducts the toll amount from their accounts. Drivers can link several passes to a single account, permitting them to select the best pass option for each vehicle.

For more information about Good To Go! visit www.wsdot.gov/goodtogo.

Smarter Highway signs provide drivers with real-time traffic information about what’s happening on the road ahead. The signs may display different speed limits, based on traffic conditions ahead. For more information on WSDOT’s Smarter Highways project, visit www.smarterhighways.com, or watch the YouTube video below:

Question 1: What are the risks associated with telecommuting in terms of liability, workers’ compensation, illegal activities in the household, etc.?

Rick’s Reply: A quick disclaimer. Telecomuting Advantage Group (TAG) is not a legal firm. You should confirm any information with a Labor attorney. This response is based on TAG’s experiences and information obtained from our Labor attorneys. A link has been included below that provides information about OSHA’s removal of home-based workers from OSHA standards. In effect, the employee becomes responsible for the safety of their work location, cleaning up spills, toys, etc. As an employer it is still important that you provide both home-office safety and ergonomic guidelines and include a location in your telework agreement that indicates that they have read and understand them. There are exceptions, such as employees who work with hazardous materials, in which the employer may still be held liable. Third-parties, whether co-workers, customers or suppliers are not allowed to conduct meetings at a teleworker’s home-location as the liability laws are not the same as those for the teleworker. Workers’ Comp issues have to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. As you most likely do not have consistent visibility of how and where the employee is working, you cannot ensure that they are following the ergonomic guidelines. Again, the policy should state that they must have a suitable telework site and follow the ergonomic guidelines, but if an employee disregards these and files a complaint for something like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome it is up to the employer to determine how to proceed. This is true for any Worker’s Comp issue that may have occurred in the workplace as a result of conducting everyday work. If an employee is participating in illegal activities not associated with the employer while working from home the employer is not responsible. If an employee is using their employer’s data-files, personal information or other employer data the employer will have to show that they put sufficient safeguards in place, possibly including language in the policy, sufficient data access security, password protections, an office or filing cabinet that can be locked or other measures to allow a teleworker to handle data safely. Tracking data access via a remote terminal server or software such as GoToMyPC will allow eDiscovery tracking. Here is a link to the OSHA ruling: www.computerworld.com/s/article/40989/Telecommuters_Exempt_From_OSHA_Rules.

1) How to get started? To start a vanpool you need at least 5 people. The best place to find riders is www.RideshareOnline.com, but you can also ask coworkers or friends. Often grocery stores or neighborhood coffee shops have boards where you can post fliers.

2) How do you pay? You pay a flat monthly fee based on the # of miles the van is driven. This fee covers gas, maintenance, and insurance. The fee can be split evenly by the number of riders in the van or some vans offer to pay for the primary driver to ride free. For example, my van drives 45 miles round trip, costing $710 a month. My van has 7 individuals, so we each pay $101 a month.

3) Who determines where the van leaves? Riders in the van do not have to all live in the same city or work in the same building. The van has the flexibility to decide pick up and drop off locations. Typically park and rides are used, but groups can decide to pick up riders at their home driveways. You can also pick up riders along your route. The group has full control!

4) Who drives the van? Every van is required to have one primary and at least one backup driver. To become a driver you must complete an online training course.

5) If an emergency happens and I need to leave early, am I responsible for getting myself home? If you or a family member becomes ill, if you have to work unexpected overtime, or another emergency happens on a day you drove in the van, Metro will pay for your taxi ride. Know you don’t have to worry about being stranded or paying out of pocket for taxi fare.

-Melissa

The 1990 State Growth Management Act aims to shift growth to urban centers – witness the growth of high rises in downtown Bellevue – but changes take time, and many employers still choose to locate out of these centers. Do you now, or have you previously worked in an area with limited transit? Did this matter to you? If you work in downtown, do you value the transportation choices it affords? Do you appreciate having a multitude of options for lunch, etc within easy walking distance? 

If you work in an area outside of downtown, have you found a viable way to commute without driving alone? Maybe perceived drawbacks could have offsetting benefits? That is, time spent reading on a long bus commute could be considered free time; time spent walking or biking one leg of a commute reduces time at the gym, etc. Do you undertake a “challenge commute”? If so, do you appreciate any aspects of it or do you just wish it would be easier? Let us know your thoughts.

-Kate

The best solution to saving money and time each day might be to give up the commute all together and live near work.  The financial cost of commuting is well documented.  Solo drivers in the United States spend on average $4,000 per year on driving to and from work.  The environmental impacts by commuters are gaining increased attention.  But less discussed are the social implications in commuting.

People that commute less tend to be happier.  In a German study, it was concluded that a person’s life satisfaction steadily decreases with longer commutes.  One reason, according to Robert Putnam (Harvard University professor and leading author) is that a person’s social connections are reduced by 10% for every 10 minutes of commute time.  This reduces the number of interactions with friends and the community.  People have less time to spend on personal relationships, attend events and have fun.

There are also health benefits to reducing a commute.  First, commuters have less time to eat well, get good sleep and participate in physical activities.  Additionally, a University of California at Irvine study has shown that commuting stress takes a major toll on health.  High levels of stress can lead to increased blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and a number of other physical symptoms.  In fact, a BBC study concluded that commuters had higher blood pressure levels than pilots and police officers in training exercises.  Finally, sitting in a car for extended periods of time can easily lead to back problems.  Reducing one’s commute provides an opportunity to reduce health risks and have more time to take care of one’s self.

Downtown Bellevue has a number of downtown housing options to bring people near work.  In fact, there are over 6,000 units in the downtown core and over 3,300 new units have been added since 2005.  An extra hour each day is five hours per week.  Over the year, this is an extra ten days to do something other than being stuck in traffic- that adds up to two full work weeks!  A move downtown can bring financial savings, physical well-being and increased life satisfaction!

-Michael

Also follow these easy travel tips to spend more time enjoying the holiday sights, sounds and celebrations in Downtown Bellevue.

TRY THE NE 4TH STREET EXIT: Driving to the Bellevue Collection? You may save time by skipping NE 8th Street. NE 2nd and NE 10th will help you bypass backups as well. And, if you’re coming from the east side of Bellevue, try the new NE 10th Street overpass bridge.

RIGHT TURN STRATEGY: If The Bravern is your destination, make a right turn into garage entrances on 110th Avenue NE, NE 8th Street or 112th Avenue NE. If you’re traveling west on NE 8th, you can legally make a U-turn at the 110th Avenue NE intersection to get going in the “right” direction.

2+ PEOPLE: Arriving with friends or family in your car? Take advantage of the direct access ramp at NE 6th Street, as well as HOV lanes on I-405, I-90 and parts of SR-520.

ON-STREET PARKING: Park steps from the doors of your favorite shops in Old Bellevue for up to two hours.

WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANS: With so much going on downtown, even more people will be out and about on foot. Please use caution when making turns.

TRANSIT:Try the bus. Metro and Sound Transit provide many routes to the Downtown Bellevue Transit Center. Route and schedule information is available at metro.kingcounty.gov and soundtransit.org.

Have a holiday travel idea to share with other Choose Your Way Bellevue readers? Click on the “Add a Comment” link below this post to share your tip!

-Jordan

Three times per year (September, February and June) King County Metro and Sound Transit make revisions to their bus service. The changes are made in order to adapt to our region’s population growth and economic conditions, the school year calendar, new road networks, and to keep bus trips as fast and convenient as possible.

Do you know if your bus route is part of the September 19 service change? Make sure to pick up your route’s new light purple timetable for more details, or visit the following websites to learn more about the specific changes:

• King County Metro Service Changes and Revisions
• Sound Transit Service Changes and Revisions

If you ride Community Transit or Pierce Transit also check their new schedules or refer to their websites.

-Jordan