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Alex Thompson
Director, A-Division, HULK Laboratories
Global Moderator
SUpeR MOLTEn LavA Bicyz
Karma: +160/-188
Posts: 1,550
HULK SMASH
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« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2007, 02:17:26 AM » |
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So - these guys: http://www.aqmd.gov/The California South Coast Air Quality Management District, set forth federal backed guidelines which are supposed to enforce a 1.5 people per car occupancy rate for major businesses (over 500 employees.) I can't seem to track down the rule but basically businesses in the area have to make big steps to meet these rules, and probably most don't. However, places like the movie studios can't really fly under the radar, and thus spend a lot of money on programs for employees similar to what's mentioned above. I always wondered if someone couldn't make good use of this rule to promote bikes (I know, I'm singleminded.) |
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« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2007, 08:29:31 AM » |
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Studio's encentive is doable, but not for production crews working totally across town or off lot, on location. I am working at Sony this movie, and I have already committed to NOT driving my truck at all, not even once to the Lot. 100% bike commutting to Sony is going to be easy, as long as I plan my equipment movements(typically I drive several days due to my computers, et al), but when we are on location it gets harder to Bike. When we shoot in Fontana, we will probably personal drive 30 miles out of town, then board buses, to take us the rest of the way. I can ride cross town, It is just out of the equation when I HAVE TO be the first one there, last to leave on a 14+ hour work day. At least ALL of my Bike Gear is a right-off work tools.
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alec
Swing bike
Karma: +10/-12
Posts: 158
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« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2007, 09:30:43 AM » |
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On days you need to drive you can do something else that cuts down on your foot print. The thing with the greatest impact is also probably the simplest; replace a meal containing animal products with a vegetarian meal.
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No single thing affects our lives or the world we live in as much as eating, something most of us do at least three times every day.
-Matt Amsden
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« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2007, 10:31:15 PM » |
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...I am working at Sony this movie, and I have already committed to NOT driving my truck at all, not even once to the Lot. 100% bike commutting to Sony is going to be easy ...
Right On Dude! Does anyone carpool to distant locations? |
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« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2007, 06:24:16 AM » |
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I get $200 a year to not drive. The thing is, the jobby saves more than that by not having to provide a parking spot.
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mihai
Member
Fixed tandem tricycle with a blind navigation monkey
Karma: +10/-9
Posts: 259
hungry hip hop junkie in the city
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« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2007, 11:36:13 AM » |
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Just out of curiousity, who do you work for?
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« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2007, 12:03:31 PM » |
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Gary recently got his company to start one of these programs, and I think it was going to turn out to be a lot of money!
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« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2007, 05:38:31 PM » |
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See, I still wish I could reply to THAT comment, the one UP THERE that asks who I work for. I work for a nonprofit k-12 school, I think they do it cause they are cool, but regular businesses can get a write off?
Most places make you pay for parking, that would be the same thing.
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« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2007, 11:48:28 PM » |
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Gary recently got his company to start one of these programs, and I think it was going to turn out to be a lot of money!
I get $200 a year to not drive. The thing is, the jobby saves more than that by not having to provide a parking spot.
When it comes to this stuff my work is run by dinosaur brains.  They think recycling cans and bottles is a big deal. That makes them cutting edge!  [/quote] author=alec link=topic=628.msg2669#msg2669 date=1197563443] On days you need to drive you can do something else that cuts down on your foot print. The thing with the greatest impact is also probably the simplest; replace a meal containing animal products with a vegetarian meal. [/quote] The former, I do on occasion. The latter, I do daily, without fail!  |
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« Last Edit: December 15, 2007, 11:51:38 PM by david_f »
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« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2008, 05:06:14 PM » |
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In reference to my company's new policy BunnyBubbles mentioned I'll post the full details sent to employees at the bottom of the post.
I proposed this idea to HR after realizing how much the company spent on parking spaces, with several of us here biking everyday. As a result of this proposal a couple people who biked sometimes, drove other times, have become full time bike commuters. Also, a couple people who previously were never biking to work have also taken the leap and become bike commuters, which has been really exciting to see. Additionally I sent out a public e-mail to other bike commuters about pitching in for a public air pump and multi-tool, which was read by one of our administrators, who offered to buy the items on Sony's tab. Those items are now sitting at our indoor bike rack.
This program is pretty new, so none of us have seen the incentive added to our paycheck just yet, but if it's as much as initially proposed, which is far more then I was expecting, it will be awesome times. Sony Santa Monica is becoming a great place for the bicycle commuter. Public transit riders and car poolers benefit from this proposal as well.
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Dear Employees of SCEA Santa Monica (This is Sony's first party game development studio for the LA area) :
With continually increasing traffic in the Santa Monica area, the 10 Freeway on/off-ramps and surrounding surface streets have become some of the most congested in Southern California. To discourage driving alone to work, Sony Computer Entertainment America is now offering Santa Monica employees who carpool, bike, walk or take transit to work a cash allowance in lieu of a parking space.
Under the lease agreements at 1630 Stewart Street and 2100 Colorado Ave, SCEA has been allotted a set number of parking spaces. To meet our parking demands, more spaces must be purchased each month from outside parking vendors. Employees who are willing to give up the parking space assigned to them will receive a monthly cash allowance equal to the average monthly cost of the each space above and beyond those required by our lease. Currently, the reimbursement will be paid in the amount of $148.62 and is subject to change based on the actual cost of each parking space charged to SCEA by the parking vendors.
To qualify, employees must forfeit the parking space/key card assigned to them and agree not to bring a car or motorized vehicle to their assigned lot on a month-by-month basis. In the case of a two-person carpool, the cash allowance will be split between the carpoolers and only one car a day will be allowed on the assigned lot. If an employee wants to drive to work occasionally, and a space is available, he or she must park as a visitor in the 1630 Stewart Street or 2100 Colorado Avenue lot and pay the hourly/daily rate. SCEA will not reimburse occasional parking. Partial arrangements other than carpooling will not be considered.
Employee requests must be made by the 15th of the month prior to the month in which the cash allowance is being requested. Similarly, a request for parking privilege reinstatement must be made in writing by the 15th of the month prior to the month in which the parking space is again needed. Assignment of spaces will be based on lot availability and not previously assigned space. Request forms for this program are available on the Intranet and must be signed by both the employee and their supervisor. Once fully completed, forms must be submitted to Doug Kelley, Office Manager, Santa Monica Studio. Forms will be submitted to the Human Resources Department for final approval and the Payroll Department for processing. Payouts will be made via employee paycheck in accordance with the SCEA Payroll processing schedule. Parking Cash Out reimbursements are considered taxable income and will be taxed at the current IRS withholding rate.
If and when SCEA no longer needs to purchase additional spaces beyond the number in the base lease, this cash allowance will no longer be offered.
For further information regarding this program, please visit the Parking Cash Out Policy on the SCEA Intranet
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end of transmission.
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