Bicycle commuting offers a range of benefits for both employees and employers. For employees, commuting by bike incorporates physical exercise into the daily routine. Regular exercise has a number of well-documented benefits, including reduced illness and increased energy levels. In addition, commuting by bike has the added benefit of reducing an employee’s commuting costs, with savings on gas, parking, and other expenses for every day of bike commuting.

The benefits for employers take many forms. Employees who exercise regularly have fewer health claims, less sick time, and higher productivity levels. In addition, employers for whom parking is a limiting factor can realize considerable cost savings on parking by allowing employees who bike commute to “cash out” their parking, giving up their right to a company parking space in return for a cash payment that represents a portion of the company’s cost to provide that space.

Finally, both employers and employees benefit from “green” company programs. Efforts that make a genuine contribution towards mitigating air pollution and climate change both bolster employee morale and improve the company’s public image. Employees who bike commute derive real satisfaction from making a difference for the planet, and companies that support them have a right to be proud as well.