Making a Bike-Friendly Workplace

Why have a Bike-Friendly Workplace?

Everyone knows biking is good for you and good for the planet. Incorporating biking to work and during the workday has its advantages on the business side of things too. Studies have repeatedly shown people who bike are healthier (and therefore take fewer sick days), arrive to work less stressed, and are more productive. 

Need even more reasons? Below are just a few more of the benefits of biking for your commute:
  • Avoids unhealthy traffic congestion
  • Helps to improve air quality
  • Saves on gas
  • Avoids parking costs
  • Increases your physical activity
  • Reduces your stress 
  • Be a member of the bike commuting community
  • Feel the thrill you get from bike riding

5 Ways to Build a Better Bike-Friendly Workplace

Making a more bike-friendly workplace can be as simple or as robust as you like. Check out the below suggestions of ways the Watertown TMA can help you to build a bike-friendly workplace.

Bike Parking

One of the first hurdles to any bike commuter will be, “but where will I put my bike?” By having a secure place for bicycles to “park”, employees are more inclined to give biking a try. Options for bicycle parking can be a simple bike rack outside, a bike cage added to a parking space or even an indoor bike room. Remember, for every bicycle in use is one less car on the road and in your parking lot.

Emergency Ride Home (ERH) Program

If the first question is, “where will I put my bike?”, then undoubtedly the next would be “what would I do in an emergency if I don’t have my car?” ERH programs ensure that if there is an emergency during the workweek, green commuters will not be left stranded at work. These programs typically offer free or subsidized transportation on the very rare occasions a commuter needs them.


For Watertown TMA member commuters, in the event of an emergency, transportation is provided by Lyft™, taxi, or Enterprise Rent-A-Car® — usually within thirty minutes — and at no cost to the participant. To get started, register/login to eCommuter.org. Then, enroll in the ERH program. You will be able to update, modify or delete your profile at any time. Information on program guidelines and uses is available for download after enrollment.

Promote Biking During the Workday Too

Bike-friendly workplaces assists with eliminating car traffic during the AM and PM commute times, but it can also mean eliminating car trips during the workday. Offering bicycles on-site for mid-day lunch outings and errands is a great way to make biking easy and accessible. Some organizations offer bikes in-house, and some prefer to leave the bike maintenance and upkeep to someone else. Bluebikes is a public bike-share system that has a built-in network throughout Watertown, MA, and the surrounding communities. Watertown TMA can assist businesses interested in getting a station at their location.

Coordinate Bike Group Rides

Some companies organize a group bike ride to work every year. These types of events typically start from a centralized location and cyclists meet and bike the rest of the way into work. Check out nearby park-n-ride lots and Park&Pedal locations—they are perfect starting points!

Facilitate Bike Partners

For day-to-day commuting, the eCommuter.org Bike Buddy Program is a service provided by Watertown TMA that matches bicycle commuters with one another. Share a ride with a neighbor, coworker, or another bicyclist, and learn what it takes to ride on urban and suburban streets safely. The more riders there are in a group, the safer the ride. The goal of the Bike Buddy Program is to encourage more people to try bicycle commuting and increase the number of trips made by bicycle in and around Watertown, MA.

More Biking Resources

By Alexandria Santiago April 17, 2026
If your daily commute feels repetitive, expensive, or just harder than it needs to be, you are not alone. Many Watertown commuters are looking for easier, more flexible ways to get to work without relying on driving alone every day. That is where GoMassCommute comes in. Watertown TMA is introducing a new app designed to bring your commuting options, rewards, and support programs into one easy-to-use platform. By joining GoMassCommute, Watertown TMA is working alongside other TMAs across the region to make commuting more accessible, connected, and rewarding. As more people and businesses think seriously about sustainability, this platform offers a practical way to explore options like transit, biking, walking, and carpooling—while choosing what works best for your schedule and lifestyle. Q: What can GoMassCommute actually help me do? A: GoMassCommute brings your commuting options into one place. You can explore different ways to get to work, log your trips, earn rewards, and even connect with other commuters nearby. It is designed to make trying new commute options feel simple and manageable. One of the biggest benefits of GoMassCommute is the confidence it can give commuters as they plan how to get to and from work. You may not always know what options are available, even if commuting greener is something that interests you. In many cases, there are more possibilities than people realize, and GoMassCommute helps bring them into view. This is also why Watertown TMA has made the switch from eCommuter. With its more accessible, user-friendly design and stronger features for connecting people to commute options and helpful resources, GoMassCommute offers a more engaging and practical experience for today’s commuters. One especially helpful feature is the app’s ability to automatically track trips from your phone, saving time compared to manual logging. Whether you are looking for a rideshare option, thinking about trying transit, or simply curious about what is available to you, the platform helps simplify the process and make those options easier to access. Q: Why should I switch from driving alone? A: Even small changes to your commute can make a big difference. Using transit, carpooling, biking, or walking just a few days a week can help reduce costs, lower stress, and support more sustainable travel. GoMassCommute helps you try these options in a way that feels realistic and supported. One of the most valuable features is the ability to connect with other commuters based on where you are traveling from. After creating a profile, you can see whether others nearby have similar commute patterns. With privacy safeguards in place, you can choose to connect by email and explore whether sharing a ride could work for you. Q: What kinds of rewards or programs are available? A: Watertown TMA offers several programs that make it easier—and more rewarding in terms of prizes and incentives—to try new ways of commuting. One featured incentive is the T for 2 Transit Program , which gives eligible commuters the opportunity to try public transportation at no cost. Participants who currently commute by driving alone can receive a free MBTA pass for two months by committing to take transit at least two days per week and logging their trips in GoMassCommute. There is also the FlexRide Carpool Program , which helps match commuters for shared rides, making commuting more affordable and convenient. For added peace of mind, the Emergency Ride Home program provides a reliable backup option if unexpected situations come up during the workday. In addition, commuters can participate in the Go Green Reward , where logging 20 trips over three months earns a $25 gift card. It is a simple way to build more sustainable habits while being rewarded for the trips you are already taking. Q: Do I have to change my whole commute to use this? A: Not at all. Many commuters start small—trying transit once or twice a week or carpooling occasionally. GoMassCommute is designed to support gradual changes, so you can find what works best for your schedule and comfort level. At its core, GoMassCommute is about more than individual trips. It is about bringing commuters, employers, and communities together to make commuting easier, more connected, and more sustainable across the region. Q: How do I get started? A: Getting started is easy. You can download the GoMassCommute app on Android or Apple , or visit www.gomasscommute.com/watertowntma to access the platform online. Once you create your profile, you can begin exploring commute options, logging trips, connecting with other commuters, and taking advantage of available rewards and benefits. 
By Alexandria Santiago October 23, 2025
Your Car-Free Choices Made a Difference!
May 20, 2024
Get Ready to Ride: Bike Month is Here! Spring is in full bloom! The days are longer, tulips are popping up, and if you have allergies, you might be sneezing a bit more. But there's good news for cyclists: the warmer weather means it's time to get back on the road. May is National Bike Month , and there's plenty to be excited about for bike enthusiasts in Massachusetts. What is Bike Month? National Bike Month , established in 1956, is all about celebrating the joy of cycling, promoting its health benefits, and encouraging more people to give it a try. A key part of this celebration is Bike to Work Week, which falls in the third week of May, with Bike to Work Day on the Friday of that week. This year, Bike to Work Week is from May 13 to 19, with Bike to Work Day on May 17. What's Happening in Massachusetts for Bike Month? Massachusetts is a great place to be if you love biking, and Bay State Bike Month , hosted by MassBike , has a full schedule of events to keep you moving. If you're looking for group rides or ways to get involved, this is your go-to resource. Here are some of the events that took place in celebration of Bike Month:
mechanic next to car, text: Winter Car Maintenance and Safety Tips with Luis
By TransAction Associates January 4, 2024
It's officially winter! Are you ready for the snow and ice? Is your car ready? Join Luis Mejia, Fleet Mechanic at TransAction Associates & Corporate Shuttles, as he shares some winter car maintenance and safety tips.
By TransAction Associates October 26, 2023
World Car-Free Day 2023 was a huge success! Organized in a variety of ways around the globe, every event shared the unifying goal of reducing the number of cars on the road. The Watertown TMA participated in MassCommute 's 2023 Car-Free Day, the Commonwealth’s Coalition of 15 TMAs to promote and celebrate Car-Free Day in Massachusetts. Commuters who participated helped to make a positive impact on the environment and contributed to a greener Bay State!
February 13, 2023
The WatConnector launched on September 7, 2021, with hourly service between Watertown Mews on Pleasant Street and Harvard Square. Starting February 13, 2023, the WatConnector will go electric and will run every half hour. Thanks to a grant from MassDOT, along with other public and private funds, two new electric shuttle buses were purchased and will replace the existing gas shuttles.
December 23, 2022
This past November, Watertown Transportation Management Association (WTMA) commuters were challenged to express their gratitude for the commutes that bring them safely to-and-from the workplace.
September 7, 2021
Also known as the WATConnector, passengers along Pleasant Street can now get to and from Watertown Square as well as Harvard Square during the AM and PM commutes. The WATConnector Pleasant Street shuttle services are available to participating corporate and residential partners and the public.
August 2, 2021
As a green commuter, you’ve done your part to help the environment. You found a carpool partner, coordinated schedules, made the trip in together. But what if you arrive at work and find that all of the good parking spots are taken? Many organizations have good intentions when they designate special preferred carpool parking spots in a prime location near an entrance. One carpool space reduces the need for at least one other parking spot. Promoting carpooling is a great way to reduce your parking demand and encourage commuters to share the ride. However, without the proper enforcement and program management in place, the positive impact of the preferential parking incentive can lose its effectiveness. That’s where having a partner like the Watertown Transportation Management Association (WTMA) to manage the program can help.
March 3, 2021
The Watertown Connector transports passengers to and from Harvard Square during the AM and PM commutes. There are two services available to participating corporate and residential partners (listed below). 
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