Portland Afoot released yesterday its ranking of the best Portland employers for low car commuters.

The survey, conducted by Portland Afoot and the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, was distributed to more than 600 local employers.

Respondents were ranked using 10 weighted metrics that measured their friendliness to workers who bike, walk, carpool, telecommute or ride public transit.

Components included free TriMet passes, discounted vanpools and the ability to telecommute or work flexible hours.

Employers were also rewarded for not subsidizing auto parking and for providing shared vehicles such as Zipcars rather than reimbursing employees for miles driven on the job.

Employers received 10 points if they participated in the BTA’s Bike Commute Challenge, and an extra 5 points if their bike commute rate was above 20%. Employers also received points for providing safe and secure bike parking and other facilities for bicycle commuters.

Portland Afoot’s first ranking of commute benefits was conducted in 2011. Full results of that ranking are available online, and will be replaced Wednesday with the 2012 ranking: http://portlandafoot.org/w/Best_Portland_employers_for_low-car_commuters. 

"As gas prices soar, TriMet raises fares and the state slashes transit pass subsidies, these smart, responsible employers deserve more credit than ever for understanding that great commuting benefits make workers happy, healthy and productive," said Michael Andersen, Portland Afoot's editor.

Portland Afoot is a 10-minute newsmagazine about low-car life in Portland, distributed monthly by direct mail to 1,000 subscribing transit riders, and an editable online guide to low-car life. Learn more at http://www.portlandafoot.org.