Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Bicycle Friendly Business Award Recap

April 27, 2013

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• It’s not just about getting an award…

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

• It’s about using the award as a tool

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Covered Bike Parking

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Employee Showers

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Loaner Bikes

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Discover Hartford Bike Tour

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Discover Hartford Bike Tour

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Bike to Work 2012

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Bike to Work Meet-Up

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Bike to Work 2011

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

• We’re already pretty bike friendly, so why seek an award?

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

• An award would give us a tool to inspire others to become more

bike friendly

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

What do we need to do to get there?

• We lack consistency and planning

• Cycling efforts are virtually all volunteer-based and not a recognized part of the agency

• Wider audience

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Enter the DEEP Green Team

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

• Long standing committee

– Includes non-cyclist sysmpathizers!

• Meets and plans regularly

• Legitimate part of the Pollution Prevention Office at DEEP

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Is Kevin Taking Too Long???

• Then tell him to skip the next 8 slides or so…

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Green Team Successes

– Energy and water use reduction

– Increased Recycling

– Environmentally preferred purchasing and contracting

– Promoting use of alternative transportation

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

No more wastebaskets

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Mini-bins!

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Green Team Outreach Initiative

• Getting Municipalities and Other State Agencies to start their own Green Teams

– Energy and water use reduction

– Increased Recycling

– Environmentally preferred purchasing and contracting

– Using alternative transportation

– Becoming bike friendly

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

What do we need to do to get there?

• Look at the guide on the BFA webpages to see how you stack up

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

• What we needed:

– More education and

– More encouragement

• Monthly Green Team meetings to plan and implement and enlist wider support

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Monthly Bike Rides (June – Sept.)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Green Team Events

• Commuter Fairs

• Lunch N Learns

• Repair Clinics

• (all at least annually)

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BFB Award 2012

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

• Commissioner’s State Agency Challenge

• Bike to Work Day 2013

• (Commissioner’s Award to the State agency with the best participation)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

The Result:

• 10 new agencies signed up to date

• Including DOT, DMV and DECD

• Used Green Team contacts

• Continue to use Green Team for planning

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

In Summary…

• How did DEEP get its BFB award?

– Collaboration with Green Team

– Added education and encouragement efforts

• Why seek an award?

– Encourage others to become bike friendly, too!

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Happiness is …

Commissioner Esty’s bike in the DEEP

parking garage, Bike to Work Day 2011

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Questions?

Contact info:

• Kevin Sullivan kevin.t.sullivan@ct.gov

• 860-424-3275