Biking to Work at Patagonia

Outdoor apparel maker Patagonia has a strong history of environmental activism and supporting causes that increase environmental awareness. Since 1985, the company has pledged 1% of it’s sales every year to environmental causes and actively encourages the use of alternative transportation among its employees. Alex Yanez, telecom engineer/coordinator at Lost Arrow, Patagonia, took time to answer questions about the company’s alternative transportation program and how bicycles play a role in helping the company reduce its impact on the environment.

When did Patagonia start its Bike to Work program and what inspired the company to start it?

Categorically, Patagonia has always supported bicycling and the use of alternative forms of transportation to commute where reasonable. I have worked for Lost Arrow, Patagonia for more than 20 years. During my tenure the company has always accommodated cycling. Patagonia provides on-site shower facilities, storage and a bike repair station.

What is the participation rate among all employees nationwide? Can you provide some statistics like total number of miles biked and average commuting distance? Has the program’s goals, if any, been met?

Patagonia implemented a program powered by GoosePro® that monitors and reports on company wide impact for overall commuter statistics. This system is tied into the corporate intranet and allows nearly all employees the ability to log their commuting mileage. The tracking and reporting system was successfully implemented in the first quarter of 2009 and has allowed Patagonia to measure its carbon footprint reduction and reduction in operating costs related to car maintenance and operation etc. This intranet portal shows, since March 2009, Patagonia employees have reduced their vehicle mileage by 75,511 miles, wear and tear savings has been US$22,606, CO reduction 56,448 lbs and gas saved 2,903 gallons. Based on the charts of all of the aforementioned statistics, bicycling has accounted for 53.71% of the total effort. Which is to say, bicycling has accounted for a reduction in 40,556 miles driven, vehicle savings US$22,142, CO2 reduction 1,559 lbs and gas saved 1,559 gallons. This is from March 2009 to July 2009.

What has Patagonia done to encourage participation? Does the company provide special facilities and/or incentives to those commuting by bike?

Patagonia has been using the new system that I mentioned above to reward employees. The reward specifically allows employees who participate, at least, three times per week in some form of alternate transportation/commute, to shop before other employees at special employee shopping venues called Puppy Sales. As mentioned, Patagonia offers shower facilities and on-site cafeteria.

What hurdles have you encountered along the way and how have you gone about solving them?

Great question. I believe this has to be answered in a geographical context. In Ventura, California, where Patagonia is headquartered, the local government and CalTrans have been working to improve roadway systems to accommodate cyclists. I believe that access to roadways that support cyclists is very critical. Over the years local cycling clubs and cycling enthusiasts have voiced their concerns regarding safe and accessible road systems for cyclists and they have been heard. I cannot directly speak for other parts of the country or California. Coastal California seems to be more progressive in this area – for sure.

What do you suggest other companies do to encourage their employees to use other means of transportation beside driving individual cars to work?

People love to be recognized for their efforts. Public kudos work. I know of other companies that offer employees extra vacation time.

To find out more about how Patagonia and its employees are working to help the environment, please visit their weblog at http://www.thecleanestline.com/environmental_activism/index.html.