Podium Distribution’s New Employee Program Encourages Green Living and Fitness
In an attempt to encourage healthy and environmentally conscious living practices among its employee base, Podium Distribution has launched the Pedal To Podium program. Pedal To Podium encourages employees to ride bikes to work and lunch instead of driving their cars.
According to the California Institute of Technology, cars emit an average of one pound of CO2 for every mile driven. Multiply that figure by millions of cars driving thousands upon thousands of miles a day and you’ve got a whole lot of heat trapping CO2 being emitted into the earth’s atmosphere.
“Preserving our environment is everyone’s responsibility and every little bit counts,” says Podium VP Brian Dunlap.“Pedal To Podium will help us do our part by providing special incentives to those employees that bike instead of drive.”
Employees who choose to bike to work can take part in the Pedal To Podium incentive program. Benefits include gift cards to local bike shops, iTunes and even cash.
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Aside from the environmental benefits, Pedal To Podium also encourages healthy living through exercise. Daily exercise is proven to have dramatic effects on personal health, personal well being, and has been shown to improve brain function. In addition, the average person loses 13lbs their first year of commuting by bike and just three hours of bicycling per week can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke by 50%.
In 1964, 50% of kids rode to school and the obesity rate was 12%. In 2004, 3% rode to school and the obesity rate was 45%. Between 1960 and today the average weight of a 6-11 year old has increased
by 11 lbs.
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| Swobo Bikes in the Podium Lobby |
“I think promoting exercise to work is awesome,” says Podium VP Tim Gavin. “It gives you more energy when you get to work. The only thing I don’t get is when you start shaving your legs and wearing stretchy pants, oh well.”
Podium is also providing loaner Swobo bikes for employees to use for breaks, lunch or afternoon coffee runs. Thanks to Swobo for supporting the Pedal To Podium program.
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| "Stick it to the man! Driving a car is cool, but riding your bike to work rules. Take back some fun in your life, get some exercise and stretch those desk legs." —Gabe Clement, DVS Skate Team Manager |
| "I ride about 35 miles round trip. I just started commuting, but it's fun so far and a great way to get in some weekday miles."—Josh Caffrey, Web Director |
| "It's a good way to clear your head in the morning, its a bit more relaxing than being stressed in traffic... you feel like you are more able to dictate your pace."—Sean Cassidy, DVS Graphic Designer |
| "Riding in to work is a great way to get your blood flowing in the morning and come into work fresh. I started off trying to ride twice a week now I might drive my car twice a week." —Brian Dunlap, Podium VP |
| All Photos by Daniel Hernandez |
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