There are many reasons an employer would consider offering an active commute benefit: maybe many of your employees already commute by biking or walking; your organization is interested in promoting sustainability, health, and wellness; or you’re looking for a low-cost option to add to your benefits package. Offering a benefit for active commuters supports employees who already bike and walk to work and incentivizes others to give it a try. Additionally, updating your benefits package to include active commuting can increase employee retention, satisfaction, and recruitment.
Not sure where to start? Arlington Transportation Partners (ATP) has plenty of resources to help you incorporate a new benefit into your existing benefits package. Below I’ll explain what an active commute benefit is and how ATP can help you implement it.
What is an Active Commute Benefit?
An active commute, simply put, is traveling to and from work by any means that requires some level of physical activity. Employees who walk, bike, or run are considered active commuters! Providing an active commute benefit involves offering a subsidy to employees who utilize these commute modes.
Employer Benefit Options: Bikeshare Membership vs. Monthly Stipend
There are a couple routes you can take to roll out a benefit for biking or walking, like providing memberships to an existing program or by creating your own policy. Below are options to consider for your new offering(s):
Capital Bikeshare Corporate Membership
You can consider a Capital Bikeshare Corporate Membership. Capital Bikeshare has over a hundred stations in Arlington and over 700 stations in the DC region for employees to utilize during their commutes, between meetings, and as a first and last mile solution for those just beyond walking distance from transit networks.
They offer two variations of subsidies, full and partial, giving employers the choice to completely subsidize the annual membership for employees, or to split the cost of the membership equally. The fully subsidized membership costs the employer $70 per employee who joins, whereas the partial subsidy option costs $35 for both the employer and employee. The corporate membership gives users free, unlimited 45-minute rides on classic bikes, as well as free unlocks and discounted usage fees for e-bikes. All usage fees for e-bike rides and parking, as well as rides on classic bikes longer than 45 minutes incurred are covered by the employee.
Monthly Subsidy
Some employers may prefer a more versatile benefit option, like a direct monthly stipend. In lieu of the employer covering the cost of employee’s parking or transit, an employee can opt in to a monthly subsidy to support their active commute. The stipend offers flexibility since the amount and terms are defined by each employer. Common examples of what active commuters can use the benefit for include equipment maintenance and gear like bike parts, shoes, or weatherproof clothing.
Ways to Supplement your Active Commute Benefit
Inviting ATP to your office to host a custom event is a fantastic way to ensure your employees feel supported in their commutes. Whether it’s a tabling event or presentation, ATP works directly with your employees to answer their commuting questions and provide resources about different options that could fit their lifestyle and routine.
Hosting a bike tune-up event for your office can encourage employees to utilize sustainable commute modes, as well as provide an opportunity for employees’ bikes to be inspected by a professional bike mechanic for proactive safety and maintenance. ATP can assist with coordinating a bike tune-up event with a local Arlington bike shop—all you have to do is help promote the event, so employees know to bike to work on that day. Read our blog about hosting a bike tune-up event to learn more.
For those who walk to work or want to get an active break during the workday, ATP can help plan a guided walk for your employees in collaboration with WalkArlington. Hosting a guided walk encourages employees to take a mental break and remain active throughout the day. You can also check out WalkArlington’s Walkabout Maps to discover landmarks near your office.
Commute Like a Champion
Offering a benefit for active commutes qualifies for credit in ATP’s free recognition program, Champions. To go above and beyond, actions like hosting a custom event with ATP, establishing an active commute group, and hosting a bike tune-up for employees are all eligible criteria in the Champions program.
To learn more about providing a benefit for active commuters, ATP’s Understanding the Commute Toolkit can help. If you’re ready to get the process started or have additional questions, reach out to your ATP representative to get started.
Photo Credit: Sam Kittner/kittner.com for Arlington Transportation Partners