Biking to work is good for business

Biking to work is good for business

Now that summer is upon us and Bike to Work Week is here, I would like to ask drivers to take a moment to watch for bicyclists sharing the road. At Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd., we have a number of employees who bike to work daily throughout the year and many more who ride during the summer. Since 2006, our employees have commuted more than 125,000 miles by bicycle.

Our employees take their safety very seriously and work together to make sure their bikes are fully functioning and visible. I personally encourage our employees to take advantage of the opportunity to bike to work. We provide staff with mileage reimbursement, newly constructed locker rooms and shower facilities and a bike storage area.

Not only is this program good for the environment but it benefits our employees and business. Employees in the wellness program tend to be happy and healthy people who make for a better and more productive employee. Proven benefits of the program include reduced absenteeism, health care costs and risks, improved morale and employee retention. I encourage other companies to note the benefits of a wellness program.

We also were recently recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Gold Level Bicycle Friendly Business. In addition, this year we will again be serving as a pit stop on June 14 for bicyclists participating in Bike to Work week.

I commend all our riders for their hard work. Their dedication can be seen on the road and in the office of our Rosemont headquarters. We strive for success in our work as an engineering firm and that same commitment can be seen in our bike commuters. Please join Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. and other bicycle-friendly employers in safely sharing the road especially during Bike to Work week.

Christopher Burke

Rosemont