BFB Spotlight: Texas Instruments Helps Build 35-Mile Trail

TI’s headquarters in Dallas, Texas, employs 6,500 people (all of whom probably got As in algebra) and their leadership’s commitment to bicycling as a viable commuting option secured them a Bronze in our latest round of Bicycle Friendly Business awards.

Texas Instruments employees on Bike to Work Day

David Thomas, TI’s Vice President of Worldwide Facilities, is an avid cyclist, and said TI has made investing in bicycling resources — like bike racks, repair stations and onsite showers — is a priority for the company.

“Texas Instruments sees great value in supporting alternative commuting solutions for employees,” Thomas says. “We want to make it easy for our existing bike commuters to get to work safely and to encourage more employees to try biking to work. We continually seek new ways to educate, encourage and engage employees in safe bike commuting.”

TI’s commitment shone through its work to help secure funding and ensure construction of a 35-mile bike trail within its community. TI worked with the local government, donated land to Dallas County and provided seed money to help kick off the $6.5 million Cottonwood Trail extension project. What’s more, the company committed to matching any employee donations to the project, in addition to offering project management support.

But that’s not the only reason TI should be proud of its work:

• It maintains a Commute Solutions program, which encourages transportation alternatives like subsidizing carpools and mass transit, in addition to offering bicycling amenities. This program also has an online forum component, which allows its employees to chat about their routes and share tips.
• It sees the value of the National Bike Challenge, and it has provided employee incentives for participation. Leadership offered 10 TI cycling jersey for riders who exceeded 2,000 points in the Challenge.
• It hosts Bike to Work Days, as part of Bike Month, annually and has seen a steady increase in participation.