Conference noted::bicycle

    You work in LKG, which is part of the Littleton security cluster.
    
    Send mail to DELNI::(Mike) MCLELLAN (head of Littleton security cluster)
    and ask him why Littleton has a policy against bikes in the building.
    Do *NOT* let the LKG securioty guards tell you the "it's against
    corporate policy" as the lying sack of sh*t security droids do here
    in AKO.  It is a local Littleton, MA policy; not corporate.  If they
    lie to you, (which incidentally *is* against corporate policy), let
    MCLELLAN know about it.  Plenty of facilities, for example, Palo Alto,
    allow bikes in cubicles, but Littleton is stuck in puritan New
    England thinking.
    
    If you want to work together to try and change this (it requires
    a change done by the site management committee), please contact
    me offline.  Kratz Brown dtn 244-6698

    I'm an LKG resident too and really don't like leaving my bike exposed
    (in more than one way) where the "official" rack is.  My main concern
    is that it's not sheltered, but I also worry about possible theft and 
    vandalism.   Until a couple of years ago, the rack was located in a 
    sheltered area at buiding's front entrance, and within the sight of the 
    receptionist/guard.  Guess it didn't look pretty enough so an edict came 
    down to move the newspaper vending machines, bike rack, and smokers away 
    from the entrance.  I can agree with one of those targets, but having 
    other employees and customers see that people actually bike to work is, 
    in my opinion, a plus.  
    
    rob
    
    
    
    

>     I'm an LKG resident too and really don't like leaving my bike exposed

I am too (green Bianchi in rack near Yangtze River).  I was bringing my bike in
for several weeks before some guard-type guy came to tell me (literally up to
my cube) and told me to cease.  Was told about fire hazard and safety and 
corporate policy and the like.....

Are you going to make an organized effort?  Ill support you.
--Roger

    I started writing something up for the next meeting of the
    Littleton site(s) management meeting.  Any more voices/
    signatures will help.  What we really need is for one of the
    Littleton/Acton-based VP's to go ride to work; the policy would
    vanish overnight.  Kratz

    I'll support you too!  
    
    All those smokers flicking ashes around my bike all day does not 
    give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
    
    Linda

    
    	Hey, SOME of us are very considerate.
    
    	8^)
    

    count me in as a supporter of sheltered bicycles for bike commuters...
    
    Frank F   soon to reside in LKG
    

	Count me in.

	I used to work in the Mill. There was a covered bike rack 
	there back in the blue-pass-parking area across from KO's
	parking spot. That was the best.

					John

Note sent yet; please comment.
    
							Date: 4/11/96
							From: (list)
							ENET: PCBUOA::KRATZ
To: Littleton Cluster Site Management Committee

Subject: Bicycles in offices

The purpose of this memo is to propose the rescinding of the current
Littleton security cluster policy prohibiting bicycles in the buildings.
The current prohibition of bicycles in the Littleton buildings discourages
bicycle commuting and needs to be reexamined.

Some Digital facilities permit bicycles in buildings.  The reasons
given by Littleton security for not allowing bicycles in the buildings
in the Littleton cluster are that it's "against corporate policy" (it's
not; there is no such policy) or that they would compromise safety if
brought indoors.  We need to examine why other building site/cluster
managerment in Digital do not feel this way.  Since a bicycle leaning
up against a wall in a cubicle presents no threat of spontaneous
combustion or other injurious action, perhaps this really boils down to
a mindset issue.

Another indication of a mindset problem is the excuse that "it's
inappropriate for customers to see bikes in the building".  On a recent
visit to Number Nine Graphics in Lexington, there were bikes in offices
in plain view of me, the visitor.  [They are conveniently located on
the Minuteman bike trail].  Even Digital's own education facility, PKO3,
which probably has the most customer visitors of any Digital site,
is "hip" enough to permit bikes indoors.  In Palo Alto, where bicycle
commuting is "de riguer", Digital's facility allows bikes indoors.

Some of the Vice Presidents of past that were resident in the Littleton
cluster were older and/or completely out of shape (B. Johnson...), so they
were probably offended by the site of a bike.  Things change: today's VP's
are younger and fitter (H. Elias...); this is the "Seinfeld" generation
that sees a bike indoors as part of everyday life.  Incidentally, if an
important VP in one of the Littleton buildings had a $5k bike, rode it to
work, and wanted to bring it in, I'd like to see the security guard that
tells him or her no.  So it really is a mindset issue rather than a
safety issue.

[To be absolutely clear on definition, a "bicycle" is a non-motorized
 vehicle that many people use as alternate commuting transportation for
 health benefits and to save money.  Mopeds and motorcycles are not the
 subject of this memo.  One security representative actually suggested that
 if bikes were allowed in the building, then motorcycles should be allowed
 too (nevermind that one has, in essence, a gasoline bomb attached).]

Lets look at the benefits of bicycle commuting.  Rather than itemize
them here, Digital's own corporate Environmental Health and Safety group
already has a nice world wide web page discussing the merits of bicycle
commuting.  Interestingly, it lists several "excuses" that people have
not to ride, and inadequate storage is one of them.  Please point your
web browser at:

   http://www.imc.das.dec.com:9012/c_biketo.htm

In addition to the good points raised on their web page, let me also add
that the parking lot here at AKO1 is filled.  At any given time during a
workday, typically a half dozen vehicles are illegally parked.  Additional
parking space, should the facility even have the land to expand, is
expensive.  One more bike is one less car.

Also, allowing bicyles in the building is viewed as benefit by employees.
Or, to look at it another way, a competitor that allows bikes in the
building is viewed as a more favorable place to work.  Digital doesn't
need any more reasons than it already has for talent to look elsewhere.

As to why the bike racks outside are not desirable:
Bicycles are not cheap and are popular theft targets.  Outdoor bicycle
racks do not provide sufficient protection from theft, even with a
security camera.  A pair of $30 bolt cutters and a hooded sweatjacket
are all that's needed.  Digital Security does not have the resources
to monitor a bike rack, and the odds of recovery are slim.  Local
police typically treat bike theft as "nuisance" calls since they
have more pressing concerns.  Bicycles are also quite expensive.
[Although I brought my $3k road bike in for over a hundred times last
year before security complained, or perhaps even noticed, I stopped
riding it when I was unable to bring it in].

Weather is also detrimental to bicyles.  Unlike a car that is designed
to get wet, rain rusts and "freezes" components, such as headsets.  The
direct sun evaporates lubrication and destroys tires.

I propose the following modification to Littleton's policy:
* Bicycles can be carried in and placed unobstrusively in cubicals or
  under stairwells.  The storage of bicycles MUST be done in such a manner
  that they do not represent an egress hazard.  (If the under-stairwell
  storage of pallettes of salt, snowshovels, and other tools is ok during
  the winter months, then a few bicycles should be ok there during the
  spring/summer/fall months).  If possible, bicycles should be brought
  in thru auxilary or side entrances.

* Bicycles are not be be ridden indoors under any circumstances.

Thank you for your consideration of this change.
Regards,
Kratz Brown
AKO1-3/B13
dtn 244-6698

I think it is too long and too preachy sounding.  People really hate it when you
tell them what their mindset is.  I also think the VP issue is pointless and you
shouldn't pick on BJ for not being a prime physical specimen.  What you should
emphasize the economic, health and environmental benefits.  Also, you are
implying that the Littleton folks are not hip, which is also bad for your case.

Do they really have a worry about customers seeing a bike in your office?  That
seems stupid to me, considering some of the crap I've seen in offices (including
mine, which, btw, has hundreds of bike pictures on the walls) and the lack of a
dress code for us cubicle denizens.

I hope you win it.  I'd try it again with ZKO if you did.

Tim

    Tim,
    good points; I'll zap the VP paragraph and slim down the preaching...
    
    I did notice something: the guy that I had the inroads here with is
    a smoker.  I wonder if this is a get-even thing?  If they can't have
    a cigarette inside, then they'll be damned if one of those health
    nuts is going to bring a bike inside.
    
    The customers seeing the bikes excuse *is* a definite mindset issue
    tho.  The head of human resources (she's neither...) here used that
    one. 
    Kratz

You really want to take the emotion out of your argument.  Stick with facts and
emphasizing the benefits.  Try to address all the arguments against your
position BEFORE they can bring them up.

1. Fewer cars in the lot; less traffic; less polution
2. Promote employee health and well being; good exercise; healful example to
other employees; Digital's HMOs reimburse you for health clubs: cycling is free!
3. Point out that there is a national growing movement to promote cycling as an
alternative way of travel.  The city of Cambridge is putting bike lanes on the
roads as they are improving them.  There is a national program to make unsed
railroads into bike paths.  The Mass Bike Coalition may hold some interesting
suggestions. (See http://tdc-www.harvard.edu/bicycle/massbike.html)  Say
something about Digital being a progressive company (We used to be, if my memory
serves me, listed up there with Lotus as one of the most progressive companies
in Mass and New England.  I doubt it is still true, since it costs money to be
that way.)

There is really only one legitimate argument that I have heard and that is
safety.  They are worried about you running into someone with the bike.  They
are worried you will go back and try to save your bike in case of a fire.  It
may be in the site insurance policy, I don't really know.  

I brought my bike into ZKO for a few months last year and one day they had a
guard standing at the door just for me. (I come in through the ZKO02 door, which
for those not in-the-know, is operated by a keycard)  He left as soon as he told
me I couldn't bring the bike in.  I informed him that I hadn't brought a lock
but would tomorrow and he let me bring it in that day).

I would almost be happy if the runner's doors at ZKO were 24 hour keycard
operated.  Then I could use the bike rack (near the door), come in, put my stuff
in the locker room (also near the door), shower if need be, etc.  Reverse the
process on the way home.  Instead, since the runner's doors are only 11-1:30, I
must now walk all the way around the building to get in.  Then, if I need a
shower (not much of a commute for me, <2miles) I need to walk back to within 25'
of my bike inside the building.

Ever notice how much easier it is to go with the flow?  Don't give up!

Tim

    Kratz
    
    	I agree with Tim. Although I would love to be more agresive and
    tell a few folks how silly they are being I think we should take
    a different tact. I thing we should take the following format.
    
    What we want to propose:
    ------------------------
    Stuff from your paragraph about being albe to bring bikes into the
    building...
    
    Oppositin we have face:
    -----------------------
    Who said what, I have some mail messages form Bill Burke and
    Michael McLellan that state there cases. We should quote from
    these types of sources. People on the review board may have know
    idea what the opposition, to bringing bikes into the buildings,
    is.
    
    Point out the benifits of cycling to work:
    ------------------------------------------
    The web page thing.
    The parking issue.
    The health issue.
    The commuter issues. I recently was sent a request for a servay
      about how I comute and what alternate options I have.
    
    Point out the problems behind not allowing bikes into the buildings:
    -------------------------------------------------------------------
    People will not ride.
    More cars.
    Less ecological
    Bad impression to customers that Digital is not environmentaly
      conciouse.
    
    I think we should try real hard to keep our feelings and emotions out
    of the proposal. State the facts as we see them and state our request.
    
    Also if we could get in touch with some of the folks that are behind
    the "Alternate Comuting TRransportation movement/survay thing" we might
    find a valuable ally.
    
    
    Let me know if you want to get together some time and I could help
    you work this through. 
    
    Joe Vlcek

I would leave out the under stairwell part.  I suspect the shovels et al are
there (I didnt see them in LKG) only because 'responsible facilities employees'
are making sure they are not blocking access.  No sense allowing yourself to
be shot down over fear of a bike leaning on a railing.

Alternatively you could suggest a rack or some such item under the stairs.
I think there is plenty of room in the customer lkg entrance.  Not sure about
the other areas....

I like the cube idea myself.

.02
--Roger

    First, let me state that I am in agreement with most of what is being
    discussed in this thread.
    
    I am in the MRO building and just finished discussing the issue in
    person with the head of Security for this building, Mr. Baker.  He
    notified me that the policy was that bicycles were not allowed in the
    building.  He told me the policy was not up for discussion and that
    petitions would be fruitless because "this isn't a democracy."  He was
    very willing to explain how he felt and he was very curteous, but I
    simply did not agree with his views as a bicyclist.
    
    I am a co-op student from RPI and am in the RPI Cycling club - I road
    race and highly doubt that my efforts could be fruitful here during the
    small time I have left in my co-op here.  I'm just going to have to
    swallow my pride and drive to work.  It's only a few miles anyway.
    
    eric
    

well, how he felt is one thing, but he's wrong about this being a democracy.  It
is one of the more democratic corporations I know of.  I tell my boss what to do
all the time (not where to go, wise guys.)  If he explained the policy to you,
then fine.  If he was just playing gestapo security guard, that is another
matter.  Was he a real Digital employee or a contract security guy?

Tim

    
    	Oh, he's permanent ... ELF says "GMAPM Security Manager".
    

    It would be interesting to do a quick survey of the inhabitants of your 
    area.  How could anyone object to a bicycle parked in a cubicle ? 
    There are much more important things to be concerned about at work...

    Just a reminder to the ZK folks.  There is a secure bike locker
    underneath the cafeteria.   It requires a key to get in.  Any
    ZK employee can obtain a key from security.   There is a bike 
    rack inside the locker area.   
    
    -Larry

    The previous reply describes exactly the kind of option I'd like, and 
    I think would be probably the most workable and agreeable to those that 
    get to make these type of decisions.
    
    A secure area somewhere in the building (or as it used to be in LKG  - 
    a sheltered area outside but within plain view of security at all times)
    is a compromise that might actually get somewhere.  I think pushing the 
    "bike in the office" concept, though reasonable to me, is pushing too 
    hard too fast, and liable to get facilities to just say NO outright
    with no opportunity for compromise.
    
    rob
    
    

    Count me in as another bike commuter who would like secure bike
    storage.
    
    Thanks
    Erik

I commute to work once or twice per week to AKO1.  The arrangement there
has a bike rack adjacent to a well used exit with a survelance (sp) camera
pointed in the direction of the rack.  This is not too bad for sunny days.

I too would prefer a sheltered area.  An enclosed area where one could
not see inside with a badge reader to limit access would be best.

There are at least three or four bike commuters in AKO.  I suspect this 
might be a little like the chicken and the egg.  Until there are 
sufficient bike commuters the costs are hard to justify.  The lack of a
secure facility limits the number of bike commuters.

Since we are about to go through densification which will transform a 10x8
cube to a 7x8 cube, I will not be able to fit my bike in my cube.

Happy commuting!
Rick

re: .-1

sorry to change the subject for 1 reply, but I couldn't
resist!  Your cube is 10x8 now, and it's going to be
changed to 7x8?!?

larry

That is what I am told.  There is a meeting this afternoon at 4 and I
understand this topic will be discussed.  I'll let you know more after the 
meeting.

Rick

    This is just for window offices which were made bigger to begin with...
    All inside offices aren't going to be touched.

I recently moved to LKG from ZKO and one of the benefits is being able
to commute by bicycle.   I'm not at all happy about leaving my bicycle
outside and applaud the efforts to get more secure outside storage,
or (much better) to change the no-bike-inside policy.  As far as the
latter goes, I don't see that as a radical request at all - there is
simply no good reason not to allow a bicycle in an office.  The best
of both worlds might be a common indoor bicycle-storage area - but given 
the space crunch in most of our facilities,  that seems unlikely.

Gene
    

    Bicycling to work, were to keep bicycle:
    
    It has become very obvious that approaching the Digital Littleton
      Cluster Site management with this issue will get us now where.
      We need to find another approach to getting somegthing done.
    
    I need Ideas!
    I need names of higher level people that can help.
    I need to get in touch with my HR person. I do not know how or what
      good it will do.
    I need anyone interested in this issues to bring it up with their
      manager and/or any higher level person how can help.
    I need anyone and everyone interested in this issues to send E-mail to
      John Burkitt   POWDML::BURKITT  DTN:  223-7365  Telephone:  (508)493-7365
      He is the only person I have found so far who might be able to help.
      Org Unit: ENVIRON HEALTH & SAFETY,  Corp. EHS
      Position: Air and Water Issues Manager
    
      See more information on John below.  
    
    What is the problem:
    --------------------
    Inadequate storage available for bicycles belonging to employees
    who wish commute via bicycle.

    Bill Burke has informed me I can not store my bicycle in my cubical
    at any Digital Littleton Cluster Sites, which would be the most 
        convenient place.

    Proposes Solution:
    ------------------
    We propose the following:
        * Better facilities be provided for the storage of bicycles.
          The storage should have the following characteristics;
          - Shelter from the elements.
          - Secure from vandalism, and theft of components or the entire bike.
          - Easy access to the office buildings and the available showers.
          - Easy to use to encourage the use of bicycles as a means of
            commuting to work.

    In light of the characteristics needed to safely store a bike and the
    potential costs to Digital I would like to suggest the following:

	* Allow enployees to carry or role Bicycles into the buildings  and
          placed unobstrusively in cubicals (and/or perhaps under stairwells.)

        * The storage of bicycles MUST be done in such a manner that they
          do not represent an egress hazard.

	* Bicycles should be brought in thru auxilary or side entrances.
          whenever possible, 

        * Bicycles are not be be ridden indoors under any circumstances.

        * Because some people will still likely use the bicycle racks
          currently provied they should remain available.

	---  OR  ---
    
        * Move the bike rack at LKG back under the canape at the LKG1
          front entrance.


    If the moving the bicycle storage rack back under the canape at the LKG1
    front entrance OR allowing employees to store their bicycles in cubicals
    are just not a workable solution please present other options.

    Why we want to propose:
    ------------------------
   * By not allowing employees to store there bicycles in the buildings
     Digital is creating a deterrent. People will not ride their expensive
     bicycles to work if they are not comfortable with the available
     storage of them. The currently provided storage areas for bicycles
     at the Digital Littleton Cluster Sites is 
    

   * Personal experiance indicating the inadequacy of the storage available
     for bicycles belonging to employeeswho wish commute via bicycle.

        On April 24th 1996. I commuted on my bicycle. I left it in the provided
        bike rack outside of LKG1 side enterance. I asked the gaurd if he would
        please take note that it was there and to keep an eye on it during the
        day. He most pleasently offered to do what he could. He even went as
        far as aiming a security camera right on the rack. But because of the
        poor quality of the vidio system and some tree brances he could not
        determine that a bicycle was even in the storage rack. He had to go to
        the window to see it.

   * Safty factors are an issue.
	- We could ensure bicycles are only stored in cubicals or out
          of the way of egress in the space under the stairways.
	- Riding of a bicycle in a building will not be tolorated.
	- Employees will be instructed to leave their bicycles in the
          building in case of a fire or a fire drill, to prevent
          blockage of the emergency exit route.

   * Housekeeping is an issues.
	- In order to store a bicycle in a cubical the employee must
          place the bicycle on a protective mat or carpet the the
          employee must provide.
	- If the bicycle is excessivly dirty, from being riden in mud or
          the like, it will not be allowed in the buildings.
          ( Proposed rule of thumb: If the bicycle is dirty don't bring it
            in the building if your mother would not have allowed it in her
            house. )

   * Allowing bicycles into the buildings for storage may very well present
     some obsticals that need to be managed, BUT the value of allowing
     bicycles into the buildings will far outweigh the work needed to
     manage the situation.

    The benifits of promoting cycling to work:
    ------------------------------------------
   * Digital's own corporate Environmental Health and Safety group
     already has a nice world wide web page discussing the merits of bicycle
     commuting.  Interestingly, it lists several "excuses" that people have
     not to ride, and inadequate storage is one of them. 
     This information can be found by point your web browser at:
	   http://www.imc.das.dec.com:9012/c_biketo.htm

   * Being an employer of many people Digital is surely interested in
     the long term health of the investment it has made in its work force.
     Doing whatever Digital can do to  encourage the use of bicycles as
     an alternate means of commuting transportaion could result in a
     healthier work force.


   * In light of the fact that parking at the sites that make up the
     Littleton Cluster can at times be limited. Doing what we can to
     encourage the use of bicycles as an alternate means of commuting
     transportaion could reduce the stress of the overloaded parking
     facilities.

    The problems created by not allowing bikes into the buildings:
    --------------------------------------------------------------
   * By not allowing employees to store there bicycles in the buildings
     Digital is creating a deterrent. People will not ride their expensive
     bicycles to work if they are not comfortable with the available
     storage of them. The currently provided storage areas for bicycles
     at the Digital Littleton Cluster Sites is 

   * Even with the security cameras the provided storage areas for bicycles
     is not very safe. A bicycle is a very light weight item. Most modern
     bicycles can easily be carried by most adults. A singel person could
     simply cut any bicycle lock with bolt type cutters and carry the bicycle
     away.

   * By increase camera and motor patrol surveillance will not prevent
     a bicycle from being stolen or damaged. Even if a Security gaurd
     witnesses the theft, or it is recorded on camera recovery is
     very unlikely. This could lead to costly and lengthy insurance 
     claims.

   * Many bicycles have components that are easily removed. It is also
     resonable to be concerned that even if the entire bicycle is
     not stolen that individual components may be. With Digital requiring
     bicycles be stored at the provided bicycle rackes outside Digital
     is presenting a possible situation where theft would be very easy.

   * By imposing such a restriction Digital presents a message to 
     current employees and possible future employees. This message
     can and does leave people with a poor impression of Digital.

   * As ecological problems begin to affect our world people are becoming 
     more perceptive of the ecology. Many companies expend a large effort
     through extensive marketing to convince their buying public that
     they are ecology sound in their operating practices. It might be
     construed as poor ecological practice on the part of Digital if
     Digital does not provide an encouraging place of bicycles to be
     stored.

   * Bicycles are not designed to be stored exposed to the elements.
     The storage locatins currently provided by Digital place bicycles
     in the open elements. This could easily cause costly damage to
     a bicycle and its components, which in turn would discourage
     employees from using their bicycles to commute.


Questions to be answered:
-------------------------

    Is there a Digital policy that states bicycles are not allowed to be
    stored in the Digital buildings?

    Does Bill Burke have the athority to dictate such an intrusive policy
    to Digital employees?

    How should I go about getting better arrangements for the storage of
    bicycles at the Digital Littleton Cluster Sites?

    Who at Digital can help? Does anyone know of a person in power that
    can champion this issue?

Contacts:
---------
    Bill Burke     DELNI::BURKE  DTN 226-5969 LKG1-1 POLE A19
    Org Unit: NETWORKS BU,  NETWORK MFG & LOGISTICS
    Position: DIRECTOR

    Mike McLellan  DELNI::MCLELLAN
    Org Unit: WW PROPERTY,  LITTLETON AREA PROP. MGMT., N.H. AREA PROP. MGMT.  
    Position: LAPM/NHPM SECURITY MANAGER

    John Burkitt   POWDML::BURKITT  DTN:  223-7365  Telephone:  (508)493-7365
    Org Unit: ENVIRON HEALTH & SAFETY,  Corp. EHS
    Position: Air and Water Issues Manager


Excerpts of exchanges with the powers that be:
----------------------------------------------

    * Recieved on 11-APR-1996 From Michael McLellan

	From:   DELNI::MCLELLAN
	To:     LASSIE::VLCEK
	CC:     J_WHALEN,CICCONE,R_ROGERS,MCLELLAN
	Subj:   Bicycles in the building
	...
	       I've been dealing with this (bicycle stored in the building)
	   same question as long as I've been with the company (14 years) and
	   I can honestly tell you that the storage of bicycles inside the
	   buildings has never been supported anywhere in the Headquarters
	   area, including LKG.
	...

   * Recieved on 16-APR-1996 from Bill Burke
	
	From:   DELNI::BURKE "BILL BURKE NETWORKS M&L DIRECTOR 226-5969 LKG1-1 POLE A19
	 16-Apr-1996 1132"
	To:     UCXAXP::VLCEK
	CC:     KELLEY,MCLELLAN,BURKE
	Subj:   Bicycle Storage
	
	
	Joseph, I have received your note regarding the storage of your
	bicycle in LKG.  Because of the safety factors and housekeeping
        problems this causes, the Corporate Policy prohibits the storage
	of bicycles in Digital facilities.  Therefore, I am agreeing with
	Mike McLellan in denying your request to store your bicycle in LKG.
	However, with your concern about the security of your bicycle at
	the employee entrance rack, I have asked Security to increase
	their camera and motor patrol surveillance of those areas.
	
	Regards,
	Bill Burke    

	Bill Burke statement to an employee: "If we let people
        bring in their bicycles, they'll want to bring in their motorcycles
        and their dogs next."

   * Ongoing exchange Mid April on..
        I have spoken via telephone with John Burkitt. John is the person
        that sent out those commuter surveys many of us got. John works
        in the ENVIRON HEALTH & SAFETY group, his position is: Air and
        Water Issues Manager. His contact information can be found above.

        John has attempted to help with this issue. He has ment some
        very stiff resistance by the powers that be here at the Littleton
        Cluster Site management. Because of this stiff resistance to moving
        the bicycle rack back under the canape at the LKG1 front entrance
        and to allowing bicycles into the buildings John has decided to
        not press this issues. He is going to attempt to find more
        champions to this cause.

    In closing I would suggest anyone and everyone intereseted in this
    issues send mail to John at:
    Keep in mind he can help to improve the situation if it does not
    cost Digital any money. 

    John Burkitt   POWDML::BURKITT  DTN:  223-7365  Telephone:  (508)493-7365
    Org Unit: ENVIRON HEALTH & SAFETY,  Corp. EHS
    Position: Air and Water Issues Manager
    
    

    More information regarding "Were to keep bicycle"
    
    This is a list of companies I have worked for in the past where
    employees could keep their bicycle in their office.
    
1985-1987 GTE Government Systems Waltham, MA.
     1987 Taylor Labs. Londonderry, N.H.
1987-1990 GenRad Concord, MA.
1990-1992 ITP Information and Technology for Production Cambridge, MA.
1992-1995 Kronos Inc. Waltham, MA.
    
    This is a list outlining what some other companies do in regard to bicycle
    storage. This list was compiled by sending an E-mail survey to a sampling
    of people, that I have an E-mail address for, that works at a hi-tech
    company in New England. 
    
Stratus Computer:
    Marlboro MA
    Bicycles stored in hall outside of office or in office.
    
3Com:
    Southborom MA
    Bicycles stored in office.
    
Voice Processing Corp. in Cambridge:
    A locked room accessable from the outside of the building where you
    buzz the guard for access.

Boston Technology:
    ...sort of looks the other way as far as bicycles in the office or in
       an out-of-the-way part of a nearby hallway. They don't have a formal
       policy...

Vmark Software Inc.
50 Washington Street
Westboro, MA 01581
    ...securely fastened in your cube or whereever without the possibility of
    falling on someone/office equipment, or people having to go around it...

Teradyne Inc
321 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA
    I work as a consultant here at Teradyne in downtown Boston, and I am
    allowed to store my bike in my cubicle, or outside it in the hall.

    

	Here in Colorado the bike racks are not w/i site of the security
	guards, but are along the main path in/out of the buildings.  The
	bike rack is the standard school type.  I have seen some very nice
	bikes parked there, but do not want to put my good bikes there.
	So I do not ride to work (too short - 2.5 miles).

	Maybe we can work with security to come up with a solution.
	When I was riding to work on a beater bike, I started a dialog
	w/ security to find out what better bike parking could be provided,
	in the event I wanted to ride a "good" bike to work.  They
	suggested that I work w/ the EAC (employee activity committee) to
	purchase a better bike rack.  At the time Digital would match
	$ 4 $ what employees would provide on an approved project.  What
	I was going to propose was the round/enclosed bike lockers I had
	seen at another company.  They were more expensive, but could be
	used in conjunction w/ a regular bike rack.  To raise money I was
	thinking of asking for riders to "rent" the bike rack (this would
	discourage riders from getting a bike locker as a status symbol ;-)).
	Even a bake sale type of event would work.  One of the reasons I
	used to get security to even look at my proposal was that we have
	lockers for peoples clothes why not a nice bike.

	Mark (full of suggestions) lyon

    I think 'facilities' may have nightmare visions of *mobs* of bicyclists 
    carrying their 2 wheelers, dripping grease and mud, through the halls, 
    up & down steps, and into their offices.  
    
    Unfortunately the reality is that very few people bicycle to work now and 
    not many more would even if they had bicycle valet parking (covered).  We 
    are talking about a very small number of workers.  In CXO2, winter sees 
    1-2, maybe 3 (thanks to a high school that meets at our building) bicycles 
    parked in the rack.  Summertime, 2-5 bikes.
    
    A trial period allowing you to park your bicycle in your office could test 
    the impact on everyone.

    I take it y'all have some sort of shower facilities that allow you to
    ride to work???
    
    Of course, the 17 mile commute in rush hour traffic would probably kill
    it for me, even with showers.
    
    Bob

    *Only* 17?  ;-)

    Not only that, but another benefit would be that I could turn my
    current 20 minute commute into a 1.5 hour commute:-)
    
    Bob

    
    	I'm 25-30 miles away, and a 45-minute drive would turn into a
    	2:15 bike ride.
    

    gee - i'd cutat least 5 minutes off a 10-12 minute commute. i spend
    more time trying to find a parkign space than actual commuting time.
    
    	ann
    

RE: <<< Note 3065.29 by CSC32::LYON "Living by GRACE" >>>

>	I have seen some very nice
>	bikes parked there, but do not want to put my good bikes there.
>	So I do not ride to work (too short - 2.5 miles).

You could always take an indirect route by bicycle, to make the length more
appealing to you. 

My standard/shortest route is 12 miles, but sometimes I take a 25 mile one if I
leave early in the morning or can get home late.
						-- Tom

    
    	If you weave back and forth across the road for the entire trip
    	you can theoretically multiply your commute by 1.4.  So a 2.5-
    	mile ride becomes a 3.5-mile ride and a 10-mile ride becomes a
    	14-mile ride.
    
    	8^)
    

My commute is 35 miles to NQO. I was allowed to put my bike in my 
office. We also have showers. I did this last year and intend on
doing it a few times this season.

It took me about 1hr. 41min. to get in. That, of course is working at it.