Every Day is Bike-to-Work Day

Every Day is Bike-to-Work Day

Everyday is Bike-to-Work Day at Softstar Shoes

Softstar founder Tim Oliver and his trusty bicycle. He rides it to work most days.

Tim's bright yellow bike frame sports a red leather bike seat cover that he crafted years ago in the workshop. The red leather seat features a large inlaid white leather star–just like the star inlays on our moccasins and reminiscent of Tim's Texan roots. In a small city with a strong biking culture, his bike is his "calling card" and is easily recognizable when parked downtown.

Every Day is Bike-to-Work Day

Tim's custom handmade bike seat.

Tim isn't the only Softstar bike commuter. Almost half of our team cycles to work throughout the year, and a die-hard core of elves bike rain or shine every single day. Of course, not having to contend with sleet or snow in our corner of the world helps. Softstar also encourages biking to work by offering an alternative transportation benefit.

Everyday is Bike-to-Work Day at Softstar Shoes

We are fortunate that Corvallis is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the nation. In fact, the 2011 American Community Survey (an arm of the US Census) rated Corvallis as having the highest percentage of bicycle commuters and second highest percentage of pedestrian commuters of any city over 50,000 population in the United States. The miles of bike trails, relatively flat terrain and facilities such as cycling lanes and plentiful parking racks means our Elves can pedal almost any trip across town in less than 15 minutes. Our local public transportation system even equips all of their buses with bike racks!.

One day, we aspire to get a company "bike" like this cool ELF bike by Organic Transport. It would be a super cool employee vehicle for company errands and already has the perfect name for us!

 

With Earth Day fast approaching, we hope more people will take time to consider alternative forms of transportation, whether they be by bike, carpool, public transportation or hover shoes (heh heh). If you have any great stories about green commuting and your workplace then we'd love to hear them!

"Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I have hope for the human race."
~ H.G. Wells

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2 Comments

  1. Ashley
    I used to live in Corvallis, but now live in the suburbs of a large-ish midwestern city. When I lived in Corvallis, I loved riding and rode my bike everywhere. But I can tell you, it's terrifying trying to ride here. Roads are busy with high speed limits and no shoulders at all. Drivers aren't used to seeing bikers and not only do they not notice, they take offense at seeing a biker and are aggressive. I have even had drivers stop to lecture me for riding a bike (about how rude and dangerous it is). The city is sprawling and it can be miles to even a grocery store. Temperatures are regularly over 100 degrees and under 20 degrees. I am all for bike riding, but just remember that not everyone has it so easy. I definitely took if for granted when I lived in Corvallis!
    Reply
  2. Cornelia Penner
    Cornelia Penner
    I find it hard to bike in my Ballerines because I can feel the metal points on my Brompton's pedals through the soles.
    Reply

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