This article is the third in a series profiling nominees for the 2008 Alice B. Toeclips Awards, and was written by BTA correspondent John McLaren.

Scott Weber works at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, where he is a forceful advocate for bicycling and other transportation alternatives. He writes a monthly newsletter filled with cycling tips, mentors prospective bike commuters and pushes for better services and facilities for cyclists at the hospital.

He does all this on his own time, apart from his job responsibilities as safety coordinator in the security department and part-time hospital shuttle bus driver.

“Scott has been very effective as a passionate advocate for transportation alternatives,” says Alex Jackson, the hospital’s associate administrator. “I really appreciate his enthusiasm, for education about and promotion of bicycling.” In part as a result of Weber’s efforts, about 20 percent of the hospital’s 3,500 employees now come to work in something other than a single occupancy vehicle, Jackson said.

A 17-year employee at St. Vincent and former employee of the year, Weber has redoubled his promotional efforts in the past few years. “I realized that more could be done (to encourage commuting options), and I wanted to spread the word about cycling. I challenged myself to learn about safe riding, bike racks and how to get information that I could share with others,” he said. The newsletter is distributed by e-mail and available on the Web site of Wellness Works, the employee gym. His four kids, ages 16-21, apparently have gotten the message also. None of them drive, relying instead of bicycles or public transit to get around.

Weber has staged one transportation fair at the hospital and plans another. He invited representatives from the Westside Transportation Alliance, Tri-Met, bike shops and others to extol the benefits of cycling. He spent about 100 hours putting the show together, but as he says, “every little bit helps to encourage employees” to turn to cycling. Thanks in part of his urging, the hospital has installed three enclosed cages that can accommodate up to 60 bikes; so far not a single bike has been stolen. He hopes to see all those cages filled.

Weber said the hospital deserves credit for offering free annual TriMet passes to all employees, a long-standing practice that in itself “does a lot to encourage alternative transportation options.”

Next nominee: Margaret Weddell, attorney and community educator.

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