That’s what Bainbridge Island-based Sage Manufacturing has set out to do, thanks to a grant through the state Trip Reduction Performance Program.

“It’s hard to get people out of their cars,” says Sage Human Resources Manager Patrice Stankavich. “We’re Americans — we like flexibility and freedom.”

A couple of years ago, Stankavich learned about an incentive program through the Washington State Department of Transportation that encourages employers to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. The goal was to increase the number of employees participating in the company’s van pooling by 16 people. Using incentives such as gas cards and others, Sage exceeded that goal.

Encouraged by the success, the company applied for a second grant, this time for two years and a total of 32 cars. To help encourage people ride their bikes to work, Sage is installing showers and bike racks. Other incentives are being offered for van pooling and riding the bus — and shortly after the new program kicked in, one van pool already was created.

“It’s a big commitment to get a van pool because it’s a big sacrifice (for riders), says Michele Lotakis, Human Resources assistant who worked on the second grant and is overseeing the program implementation.

For the company, being environmentally conscientious is part of the overall philosophy. Sage manufactures what are renowned to be some of the world’s best fly fishing rods, and being good stewards of resources goes hand in hand with providing a great product that helps people enjoy the outdoors. Sage sponsors Trout Unlimited, an organization focused on water and fish habitat conservation. Volunteers also participate in local environmental projects such as salmon habitat restoration.

Founded in 1980 on Bainbridge by rod designer Don Green, Sage now employs about 160 people. “The idea was to build the best fly rods, and we continue to do that,” Stankavich says. “We make the best fly rods in the world.”

Both the manufacturing and distribution for the Sage brand is done on the island, while manufacturing for Redington products, a brand acquired three years ago, is done overseas.

A tour through the factory reveals a meticulous process where human hands take center stage, aided by a few machines. Every section of the rod is handled by workers at all phases, and there is not even a hint of assembly line production. Some operations require machinery — for example, a coating machine or a sander, but even there a person guides the operation by hand. At various stations, workers can be seen hand-cutting patterns, checking each piece for strength and for straightness, hand-installing the pieces of cork that make up the grip, or manually brushing the final coat.

“The people who work our production are craftsmen,” Stankavich says. “It’s a very intensive process.”

The R&D section includes an outdoor pond with a dock, where designers can come out and test the casting and other elements. The pond reportedly comes complete with fish — but these testers don’t use flies. Instead, in-action testing is done all over the world. The company sends testers to various areas to try out the products for specific fish and conditions.

One of the busiest areas is the warranty department: Sage offers lifetime original owner guarantee.

Stankavich says one of the company’s proudest moments recently was the filming for the “Made in America” show by the Travel Channel. The crew spent a couple of days at the facility about a year ago taping the show, which tours around the country looking for U.S. manufacturers — a breed being devoured by the globalization trend.

“We’re really proud of the fact we continue to be made in America,” Stankavich says.

Sage Manufacturing has many longtime employees. The company offers many benefits to attract quality workers. Offering alternative ways to commute is one of those benefits, she says, especially since a large portion of the people is driving in from all over Kitsap, and as far as Gig Harbor and Jefferson County.

“What can we do to make it easier for them to get to Bainbridge?” is one of the questions they are trying to address, she says.

The Sage “Save, Simplify and Share Your Way to Work” project, which received $11,200, was one of 17 selected around the state to receive a total of $1.3 million through the 2005-07 Trip Reduction Performance Program. Combined, the projects have the goal of removing more than 3,800 daily commutes off the road.

For some companies, depending on the number of commuters and other factors, trip reduction is required by the Commute Trip Reduction Law passed by the state Legislature in 1991. Sage’s efforts are volunteer company, as the company is not affected by that law.

“It’s hard to see that this (law) is necessary because we have good air… but this has been very good for the region,” Lotakis says. “We’re setting the trend for the rest of the country.”

Both Lotakis and Stankavich agree that starting out with a proposal can be intimidating, but they believe that businesses can build on other companies’ experience by looking at their programs. Another challenge is monitoring (at Sage Lotakis’ can focus on managing the program) as well as the bottom line question: What is the return on investment?

“There are more people living in Kitsap and trying to get to work,” Stankavich says. “If this program can help eliminate the congestion and make it easier to get to work…that alone will be a success.”