Children's Commute Profile

Location and facilities are the key to success
Children's Hospital, nestled in a residential area near the Burke Gillman Trail, employs more than 2,000 people.

On a typical day, nearly 275 employees ride their bike or walk to work. Children's percentage of bicycle commuters is 7 percent compared to 0.9% statewide. Six percent of the employees walk to work compared to a state average of 1.9 percent.

Jan. 30, 2002 Awards Ceremony

Accepting Children's Diamond Award are Jim Sawyer, Program Manager; Marie Sandvig, Employee Transportation Coordinator; and Jeff Sconyers, General Counsel.

“We are in a prime location for bicycling and walking,” said Employee Transportation Coordinator Marie Sandvig. “Our management realizes this and provides the incentives to encourage employees. And, they are role models. Several of the administrative staff bicycle to work.”

Bicyclists and walkers receive a cash bonus of up to $30 per month. They also save by not having to pay for parking. There are 80 covered bike parking spaces and an additional 16 uncovered spaces. Shower and locker facilities are provided.

Children's Hospital also has a bicycle repair station, two loaner bikes available for check out, and umbrellas for walkers to borrow on rainy days.

“Bike riding and walking are excellent ways for employees to exercise in addition to making the commute much easier,” Sandvig said.

For some employees, such as Dr. Stanley Stamm who commutes to work by bicycle, it is a passion. Dr. Stamm sponsors the annual “Stanley-Stamm-pede Bike-a-thon” around the San Juan Islands. All proceeds benefit the Children's Hospital Summer Camp.

In addition to bikers and walkers, Children's Hospital has 206 bus riders, 200 carpoolers, 110 vanpoolers and 65 teleworkers. Approximately 300 employees work a compressed work week and the nursing staff work rotating 10 hour shifts three days a week.

*Some definitions: An “ETC” is the staff-level employee transportation coordinator responsible for the daily administration of the transportation program; “PM” is the transportation program manager; and “CEO” refers to the top management-level person at the worksite. “SOV” stands for single-occupant vehicle, and “CTR” for commute trip reduction.