Kwik Trip, a family-owned convenience store chain based in Wisconsin, partnered with Wyatt Bicycles to launch a bike share program for their employees at their 90-acre La Crosse campus.
From the time I published this post, it’s been four years since we installed the Kwik Trip Kwik Rides bike share program, but the impact it had on Wyatt Bicycles and Kwik Trip employees is still worth highlighting. As such, I wanted to share the story of how Kwik Trip partnered with Wyatt Bicycles to create a bike share program for their employees at the Kwik Trip Campus located in La Crosse, WI.
The start
In March 2018, Kwik Trip reached out to several bicycle companies, to explore the possibility of building a bike share program for their employees at the Kwik Trip Campus in La Crosse, WI. The driving factor was to alleviate parking congestion on campus and allow for a fast eco-friendly alternative to commute between buildings. After careful consideration, Kwik Trip chose to support a small local bicycle manufacturer, Wyatt Bicycles, which was also based in La Crosse.
“After extensive research on who would be the best fit to complete this exciting project, Wyatt Bicycles stood out. Wyatt Bicycles is a local company based out of La Crosse, Wisconsin and all the products are sourced locally and manufactured in-house. Wyatt Hrudka, the owner, embraces core values that closely align with those of Kwik Trip.” – Arrie Knott – Campus Administration Specialists (2019)
The challenge
The task of creating a fleet of custom-colored Kwik Trip cruiser-style bicycles was a relatively easy one. The real challenge was building the four large kiosks (electronic bike racks) that would integrate with the employee ID badge system. Kwik Trip and Wyatt Bicycles worked closely together for a year to develop and test the program, ensuring it met the company’s needs.
How it worked
The Kwik Rides program worked in a simple and convenient way. A Kwik Trip employee would swipe their ID badge on the rack, enter the lock number, and the bike would unlock. They could then lock the bike in another kiosk located around campus, swipe their ID badge, and enter the lock number. The system is fully integrated with Kwik Trip’s security system, ensuring the location and security of the bikes as well as the amount of usage the bikes receive.
The launch
On June 13th, 2019, the Kwik Rides program was launched, and it was an instant hit with employees. The program provided employees with access to bikes that were easy to ride and simple to use, making it a popular option for those looking to get some exercise or simply enjoy the outdoors during their lunch break. Additionally, parking has always been a challenge on the Kwik Trip campus, and the company decided to look at healthy solutions for commuting between buildings. The Kwik Rides program was the perfect solution, as it not only provided employees with a healthy and eco-friendly transportation option, but also helped to alleviate parking congestion on campus.
The result
The Kwik Rides program was a success for both Kwik Trip and Wyatt Bicycles. Kwik Trip was able to provide a unique and eco-friendly option for its employees, while Wyatt Bicycles was able to showcase its manufacturing capabilities to a larger audience.
The partnership between Kwik Trip and Wyatt Bicycles is a prime example of how supporting local businesses can benefit both parties. Kwik Trip was able to keep the program local, while supporting a small business, and Wyatt Bicycles was able to showcase its products to a larger audience, leading to increased exposure and business opportunities.
Overall, the Kwik Rides program was a win-win for everyone involved, and it serves as a reminder of the positive impact that small business partnerships can have on local communities.
