Getting hold of a bike locker
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Companies and bike commuters manage clothing lockers in different ways. Here are some tips and cautionary tales.
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To charge or not to charge for lockers
Some workplaces provide staff with lockers to store clothing and personal effects without charge. At first sight this looks like a sound policy but it is not one we recommend.
If there is no deposit placed on the locker, there is usually no record kept of who has one and who needs one. Nor is a waiting list kept.
This makes it hard to know when the lockers are full and more lockers are needed. Riders tell us of starting a new job and having to wait for a locker for months or years. In some situations a locker is the only thing stopping them from riding to work regularly.
"Free' lockers are often forgotten by the 'owner' who may have stopped riding or even changed jobs.
One employee of a multinational firm found at his new work that many of the lockers didn't have locks and had gear stored in them that hadn't been used in a long time. He cleared a locker (of effects of limited value) and claimed it for himself. So far so good. When it came time to leave the company, rather than remove his lock, he left it in place 'just-in-case' he went back there to work in the future.
The charging solution
We support a deposit system for lockers. This keeps the lockers active as those who aren't using them want to get their deposit back.
Some workplaces also charge a rental for the lockers. We support rental fees if the funds are put to good use.
Two examples
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and National Australia Bank (NAB) both charge for lockers ($10-$30 year approx, plus $50 deposit on the key). BOM money goes to a bike riders and running group (The Sweaters) to use as they see fit. (e.g. purchase of a bike pump or workstand, or a breakfast to encourage new riders). NAB money goes in to a community fund, that any staff can draw on to run community projects.
The charge is not a revenue raiser, but is designed to encourage responsible use of facilities and balance legitimate demand with supply. This needs to be clearly communicated to riders otherwise staff can feel the organisation is discouraging active transport when they feel they should be supported to do this.