HELENA — Commuting to and from work is a necessary part of employment. While a car might be unaffordable for some people, a bicycle can be a really good alternative.

“People need to be able to work within their work hours, weekends, nights, different shifts. So sometimes the bus isn’t even available. Uber can be expensive and also has limited availability in this community. So the bike just came from this one worker and it’s nice weather right now, so it’s easy here,” says Tabatha Elsberry Hyatt, owner of Helena Express Employment Professionals.

In July, Elsberry Hyatt secured a bicycle for one of its job-seeking clients, giving birth to what is known as the Bike Share Program.

This program allows job seekers to rent a bicycle through Express Employment to get to and from work. Express Employment requires a $50 deposit for the bicycle and, if needed, a $30 deposit for a lock, which the worker receives back upon return.

Shane McManamon moved to Helena from Butte about a week and a half ago. He just got a job assembling and delivering office furniture, which he says is across town.

On Friday, McManamon received his bike. He says this bike alleviates a lot of the stress that transportation can cause.

“It feels really great. And honestly, when they help me with the bike, I feel like they appreciate me too,” says McManamon.

Elsberry Hyatt says they are looking for partners for this bike share program. Queen City Wheel House has already sponsored three bikes for the program and the Chamber of Commerce is on board for another.

“It’s just one solution and we all want to find solutions in different ways. But if this was a way to get more people into jobs, I would rather see that and help with bikes and help people get some money in their pockets and get their bikes rolling, so to speak,” says Elsberry Hyatt.

If you are interested in becoming a bike sponsor, you can contact Helena Express Employment Professionals and ask for Tabatha.