Sustainability: business, life, environment

A Rodale Press survey found that Americans want to have the opportunity to bike to work instead of driving, with 40 percent of those surveyed saying they would commute by bike if safe facilities were available.   Sounds good, but even better?  Getting paid to bike to work!
 
Well, hop in the saddle because  that is what many sustainable businesses across the nation are doing – paying their employees to commute by bicycle.  Commuting to work by bike can be a component of a business sustainability program.   Cycling as alternative transportation helps the environment by keeping CO2 out of the air and bikes require far less materials, energy and waste in their production than even the ‘greenest’ car.
 
Your two wheels are now recognized by the IRS as a “qualified transportation fringe benefit” which means that the costs (up to $20/month, $240/year) associated with riding your bike is eligible for reimbursement.  Explained in our eco friendly consulting, that things like spare tubes, bar tape, riding gloves, eye wear, cycling clothes, commuter bags, rain gear, lights, gloves, helmet, cost of maintenance, even the cost of a new commuter bike, basically anything you can purchase at a bike shop qualifies for reimbursement.
 
Aside from being part of a sustainable business strategy, there are countless benefits to employers in adopting a bike commuting program:

• Increase worker productivity: Fit employees are more alert, more productive, perform better and more efficiently.
• Improve employee health.
• Lower health care costs: healthier employees can reduce health insurance costs.
• Reduce parking cost.
• Reduced carbon emissions.
• Reduce turnover: Employers who appreciate workers' personal needs have less employee turnover.
• Supporting bike commuting is less expensive than an in-office fitness facility.
• Improve work/ life balance: Bike commuting can be substituted for the gym, saving employee’s personal time.
• Community engagement: Bicycles can be produced and maintained locally by local bike shops contributing to local job opportunities as part of a sustainable economy.
• Improve company image.
• Expand eco awareness within the organization and community.
• Link wellness programs with the corporate sustainability plan.

Becoming a bike friendly  office is easy.  To learn more about how your business can implement the benefit visit the League of American Bicyclists Commuter Benefit FAQs page.