V04: Active Commuter and Occupant Support – Above Green

(3 points)

INTENT

Promote active commuting through site amenities that support cycling and walking to the workplace.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to provide amenities for active commuters and active tenants, such as safe and secure bike storage and changing and shower facilities.

ISSUE

Active transportation is a great way to displace more sedentary modes of transportation, such as driving, and increase physical activity levels. In addition, active transportation has synergies with sustainability goals. However, many spaces and communities are not designed to support active commuting and lack the amenities and infrastructure required to encourage participation. Particularly in the U.S., rates of active travel are lower than in European countries. Among safety concerns, lack of bike parking and post-commute facilities are key reasons why people opt not to bike to the workplace.

SOLUTIONS

In a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic, multiple studies reported that availability of amenities such as bike parking and showers had a positive impact on cycling. Projections from one study showed that compared to baseline (5.8%), outdoor parking would increase those cycling to work to 6.3%, indoor, secure parking to 6.6% and indoor parking plus showers to 7.1%. In addition, lockers and changing/shower facilities in particular support activity goals and behaviors not only for cyclists but all occupants such as those who might engage in physical activity or exercise before work.

IMPACT

Overall, these amenities signal to occupants that physical activity and, in particular, active commuting, is welcomed and encouraged. The impact of increased active commuting, particularly cycling, is substantial. Evidence from a cohort study found that cycle commuting was associated with lower cardiovascular disease incidence and mortality, cancer incidence and all-cause mortality. Evidence from a meta-analysis indicated similar conclusions regarding all-cause mortality.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Provide Bicycle Storage (2 points)

Verified by Architect, Policy Document, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces except Dwelling Units & Retail Spaces

Choose between the following:

Option 1. Bike parking infrastructure:

The following requirements are met:

Short-term bicycle parking is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of the main building entrance and can accommodate at least 2.5% of peak visitors (minimum of four spaces per building).
Long-term bicycle parking is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of the main building entrance and can accommodate at least 5% of regular building occupants (minimum of four spaces per building).
Basic bicycle maintenance tools, including tire pumps, patch kits and hex keys, are provided on-site.

Option 2. Bike parking policy:

The following requirements are met:

Bicycles are allowed in tenant spaces. In multi-floor buildings, building occupants and visitors are able to utilize elevators or freight elevators to transport bicycles between floors.
Basic bicycle maintenance tools, including tire pumps, patch kits and hex keys, are provided on-site.

For Retail Spaces

Choose between the following:

Option 1. Bike parking infrastructure:

The following requirements are met:

Short-term bicycle parking is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of the main building entrance and includes at least two short-term bicycle storage spaces per 465 m²[5,000 ft²] of retail floor area (minimum of two spaces per building).
Long-term bicycle parking is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of the main building entrance and can accommodate at least 5% of regular building occupants (minimum of two spaces per building).
Basic bicycle maintenance tools, including tire pumps, patch kits and hex keys, are provided on-site.

Option 2. Bike parking policy:

The following requirements are met:

Bicycles are allowed in retail spaces. In multi-floor buildings, building occupants and visitors are able to utilize elevators or freight elevators to transport bicycles between floors.
Basic bicycle maintenance tools, including tire pumps, patch kits and hex keys, are provided on-site.

Note: Projects may exclude early childhood education students from their capacity calculations.

Bicycle maintenance tools are preferably provided near bike storage and/or parking areas.

For Dwelling Units

Choose between the following:

Option 1. Bike parking infrastructure:

The following requirements are met:

Short-term bicycle parking is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of the main building entrance and can accommodate at least 2.5% of peak visitors (minimum of four spaces per building).
Long-term bicycle parking is located within 30 m [100 ft] walk distance of the main building entrance and can accommodate at least 30% of building residents (minimum of one space per building).
Basic bicycle maintenance tools, including tire pumps, patch kits and hex keys, are provided on-site.

Option 2. Bike parking policy:

The following requirements are met:

Bicycles are allowed in dwelling units. In multi-floor buildings, building occupants and visitors are able to utilize elevators or freight elevators to transport bicycles between floors.
Basic bicycle maintenance tools, including tire pumps, patch kits and hex keys, are provided on-site.

Note:

Projects may exclude early childhood education students from their capacity calculations.

Bicycle maintenance tools are preferably provided near bike storage and/or parking areas.

Part 2

Provide Facilities for Active Occupants (2 points)

Verified by Architect, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces except Dwelling Units

Projects provide the following:

One on-site shower and changing room for the first 100 regular building occupants (excluding all early childhood education and primary school students) and an additional shower and changing facility for every 150 additional regular building occupants (excluding all early childhood education and primary school students).
One on-site locker for every five regular building occupants or evidence that the lockers provided exceed demand by at least 20%.

Note: Projects may consider off-site shower and changing facilities under joint-use agreements (or similar arrangements) provided they are within 200 m [656 ft] of the project boundary and are accessible to the project population at no cost. Additional documentation must demonstrate that shared facilities can accommodate both the project population and other populations who access the space.