Forum discussion
CI-2009 SSc3.2: Alternative Transportation—Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms
We are doing our own office as a CI upfit in a building. We will not have on-site bicycle storage and showers, but we have a YMCA 200 yards away, which should quality.
Do we need to provide a Y membership for all FTEs, or can we conduct a 100% survey (only 8 employees) and provide Y memberships for only those who will actually bicycle commute?
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Does LEED have any requirements on spacing or the type of bike racks used? What about security?
Are there specific requirements for the changing rooms, such as size?
Do bike racks have to be within the LEED project boundary?
Is a general storage room that is accessible to residents acceptable for covered bike storage?
Do I round up or down? What if the calculations show that I need 0.5 showers?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 1:39 pm
I would think that a documented company policy that Y memberships will be provided for any bicycle commuters would be sufficient (noting that the Y meets the 200-yard requirement), although the GBCI reviewer has the final word of course.Or, in an office of eight people, one membership meets the requirement—so maybe just spring for one membership?
James Wilson
22 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 1:46 pm
Thanks for the follow-up. Where does it specify that for an 8 person office one membership will meet the requirement? I have not found that language anywhere.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 1:51 pm
I'm simply going by the percentage calc from the credit language—see above. Make sense?
James Wilson
22 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 1:56 pm
As per my understanding, the percentage calc pertains to the quantity of showers (# of users x 0.005) needed for the FTEs. The access to that # of showers should be for everyone.
So for the Y, we obviously have enough showers, but we would need for everyone to have access, or at least for those who will actually commute by bicycle.
Am I incorrect? - Thanks!
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 2:07 pm
Doh.... I wasn't thinking about it in those terms. You're right.The most bullet-proof way to meet the credit intent, then, is to get a membership for the whole staff. Maybe the Y has a group rate and this isn't so expensive, plus the staff might appreciate the perk. Access to the gym, etc.If that is cost-prohibitive, then I would do as you suggest—survey the staff and see who is a bicycle commuter, or might be. I would be conservative, i.e. over-estimate the number. To best meet the intent of the credit, you should probably provide memberships for all of those people, plus documenting a policy whereby anyone else who wants access would get a membership. Again I would check on group rates here.Given your size, I would also just do a show of hands or a survey and see if people would actually use it. Not all credits really make sense for all projects.How does that sound?
James Wilson
22 thumbs up
July 28, 2010 - 2:29 pm
Thanks Tristan. Exactly what I wanted to confirm.
I think the best route is to do what you suggest with people who will commute + optional future opt-in for anyone else who wishes to participate.
Misc User
February 22, 2013 - 3:02 pm
Does the organization need to provide a 100% free gym memberships to bikers or can the memberships be 50% subsidized?
Also, if a gym already offers a subsidized shower-only commuter membership option, does the organization need to further subsidize that rate to make it free to employees?