Do you know anyone who gets paid to ride his bike to work?
In October of 2004 the Urban Ecology Center initiated an idea in answer to a question that had been brewing since the Center’s inception: How can we get people to drive less?
Carpooling, mass transit, walking and bike riding have been promoted for many years as ways to reduce pollution, unblock traffic jams, alleviate parking shortages and diminish our dependence on foreign oil. So far, none of these concerns has receded to the point of disappearing. All of the proposed solutions are good ideas. Why haven’t they caught on? We don’t know. But the staff realized that they didn’t carpool, take the bus or bike nearly as often as they could.
EcoBucks
In an effort to modify their own behavior, the Center has instituted the EcoBuck Program. Any time that an employee gets to and from work without using additional fossil fuels, he or she gets a dollar. Biking, walking and taking the bus all count. Carpooling counts half. The staff keeps track of alternative transportation days on a calendar and receives any earned EcoBucks monthly, added to their regular paychecks. As a further step, for research purposes, the staff records the types of alternative transportation used and when traditional transportation is used.
How can we get people to drive less?
The idea of a work-sponsored program evolved from a long conversation as the staff drove across frozen Wisconsin returning from a conference one winter. The discussion ranged from creating corporate carpooling programs to developing a citywide alternative currency. We settled for starting with changing our own work culture and the “EcoBuck” was born.
“We wanted to practice what we teach,” says Ken Leinbach, Executive Director. “The overarching goal of the Center is to promote environmentally sound behavior. EcoBucks are an external motivation to consume less fossil fuels. Not driving also helps ease the demand on the limited parking spaces that are available near the Center.”
EcoBucks provide motivation to get more exercise. Traditionally, the workplace doesn’t value time not directly involved in work. “Biking or walking to work enhances the connection between mind, body and spirit,” says Leinbach, “Healthier workers are happier. Happier workers are more productive.”
The EcoBuck program has boosted staff camaraderie by creating a friendly competition. “For me the motivating factor is not the dollar, but being last among the staff,” says Tim Vargo, Research Coordinator. Since EcoBucks I now ride my bike year round.” The rest of the staff agree. “It’s nice to be encouraged to do something I want to do any way. I spend less on gas and get more money at the end of the month,” says Sara Vondrachek, Environmental Educator. Susan Winans, Volunteer Coordinator, has always ridden the bus to work. “EcoBucks hasn’t changed my behavior, but it is nice to be reimbursed for part of my bus fare. Plus, it is enjoyable to be part of a group that makes it fun to drive less,” she said. According to Leinbach, “The EcoBuck program is a small investment for a significant return.”
