A new program administered by the French government will offer people monetary compensation to bike to work.
France has launched an experimental program using 20 companies employing 10,000 individuals. Over a six-month period, employees who bike to work will be paid the equivalent of U.S. $0.34 per mile, Reuters reports. The payments will come from the participating companies, not the government.
The French government hopes to expand the program, if successful, in an effort to increase bike commuting by half, to 2.4 percent. According to Reuters, French Transport Minister Frederic Cuvillier noted in his announcement Monday that driving is already subsidized.
