More companies are offering a simple workplace perk to make commutes less painful as gas prices soar

"In Seattle, the average price of a gallon of gas is now $5.96, a 30-cent increase from only a month ago and a $1.50 increase from a year ago. The United States and Israel's conflict in Iran, and the constricted flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, has caused gas prices across the country to soar. That's made workplace commutes more costly for Americans already facing an affordability crisis."

"The university recently set up a partnership with Ridepanda, which allows companies to offer e-bike and scooter subscriptions as a workplace perk. The partnership was in the works for a while as part of the campus's sustainability goals. But the timing is fortuitous: Commuters could start using Ridepanda as of early April, right after national gas prices exceeded $4 a gallon for the first time in four years. Prices have only increased since then."

"Just as April was a record month for gas prices, it was also a record month for new Ridepanda subscribers, the company says. Overall, subscribers are up 46% since gas prices first began to spike in March, and up 94% compared with this time last year. Ridepanda saw a record day for orders in April, when they were 311% above the average, and has continued to see that trend play out into May."

"It's not yet clear how many are switching from gas vehicles because of the oil crisis, but the company says on average, its riders-many of whom have never biked to work before-replace about six car trips per week. That saves companies some 1,500 pounds of CO2 emissions per employee per year. The surge in interest now makes sense to Malaviya: "We run surveys . . . and ask, What triggered you to do this now? What incentivized you?""

Average gas prices in Seattle reached $5.96 per gallon, up 30 cents from a month earlier and $1.50 from a year earlier. Conflict involving the United States and Israel in Iran and constrained oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz contributed to higher gas prices nationwide. The University of Washington partnered with Ridepanda to let companies provide e-bike and scooter subscriptions as workplace perks. Commuters could begin using Ridepanda in early April after national gas prices exceeded $4 per gallon for the first time in four years. Ridepanda reported record subscriber growth, with subscribers up 46% since March and up 94% versus the same time last year. Riders often replace about six car trips per week, reducing CO2 emissions by roughly 1,500 pounds per employee per year.

Read at Fast Company