Category: Non-Motorized

WRQ, Inc.,
Seattle

• CEO*: Doug Walker, President
• ETC: Char Kaufer, Director of Property Development and Facilities

Holistic approach to business and its impact on community

While most companies emphasize transit and ridesharing as the main ways to help reduce commute trips, WRQ, a software development company located on the west side of Seattle's Lake Union, uses a slightly different approach. President Doug Walker takes a holistic approach to business and its impact on the community and environment. He encourages bicycling and walking as the major means of commuting for his employees. He sets a high standard by his own example. An avid rock climber, Walker commutes 40 miles round-trip by bicycle.

WRQ's Char Kaufer, Director of Property Development and Facilities, shows off the company's Diamond Award.

WRQ also provides the infrastructure necessary for bicycling and walking commuters. The organization has bicycle storage in an enclosed, secure room that is heated and also provides lockers and showers. Even though the company is located across the street from Lake Union, it is close enough to encourage a few employees who choose to commute by boat. To accommodate them, WRQ leases a boat slip for the two kayakers and one canoer who commute via water. As an added incentive, a $20 Bonus Buck is given each month to employees who bicycle, walk, kayak, carpool, or vanpool to work. This is redeemable for merchandise at places such as REI, BP, and Firestone.

Promotion of ridesharing important

Every year WRQ holds a benefits fair for its employees and commuting options are always featured. WRQ participates in LUCK (Lake Union Commuter Kinship), a group of ETCs representing employers along Lake Union. They currently are working on a service that will match employees from all of the employers in the area in order to form carpools and vanpools.

All employees at WRQ are issued a FlexPass for use on King County Metro bus routes. Employees who commute by Community Transit and Pierce County Transit and by ferry receive a subsidy of up to $65 per month.

Planning ahead, WRQ has installed recharging outlets in its garage for electric cars. Currently, one employee drives an electric car to work. WRQ has two building sites, located several blocks apart, and an electric car is used for deliveries between them.

*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.