Get your (two) wheels ready! National Bike to Work Week is May 15-21. If you can’t commit to biking daily, National Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 19.
The purpose of National Bike Day is to encourage people to bike to work as an alternative to driving, and it was organized in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists.
Today, the observance is part of National Bike Month which helps to raise awareness of “commuting without polluting.”
The benefits of biking to work
- Financial benefits
Americans spend over $2,500 per year to get to and from work in a car. According to AAA, Americans spend nearly $10,000 annually to maintain a vehicle.
Biking to work may require some upfront costs, but the yearly costs to maintain a bike compared to a car are minimal. Riding a bike can reduce the amount spent on gas, car payments, monthly car insurance, parking, repairs, and maintenance.
A commuter benefits program can add funds to employees’ commuter benefits accounts through a company subsidy or direct employee funding from their payroll.
2. Health benefits
Biking helps you maintain a healthy weight by burning calories. For example, a 180-pound person who bikes 10-12 miles per hour for 30 minutes burns up to 240 calories.
The more active you are, the less likely you are to get chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes. It also lowers your risk for certain cancers like breast or colorectal cancer.
It’s also good for your heart and lungs. Biking regularly has been found to strengthen your heart muscles, improve blood circulation in your heart and lung, and lower your resting pulse rate.
3. Environmental benefits
Biking to work is also good for the environment. When you bike to work, it helps reduce the use of harmful chemicals and pollutants like antifreeze and motor oil.
Having fewer cars on the road also means a reduction in harmful emissions like CO2 that pollute the air and contribute to climate change. When more commuters bike, there is also less of a need to build more roads to accommodate cars. This cuts down on runoff water that usually pollutes groundwater.
At Edenred, we understand that the benefits of biking to work last beyond one day or week. Commuter needs are changing, and employees want more options.
That’s why we offer various shared mobility options integrated into one commuter account. On top of that, we’ll assist you with identifying eligible pre-tax expenses so your company and employees continue to receive tax incentives and remain compliant with IRS regulations.
Schedule a meeting today, and we’ll be happy to review all your options.
