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When Alex Zhang first heard about his company’s bike-benefit program powered by Ridepanda, he wasn’t actively looking to change how he got to work. His commute was just over three miles (short by most standards), and like many people, he drove by default. But heavy traffic turned his 3-mile drive into 40 minutes stuck behind brake lights, and he started to rethink things.
Now, Alex is riding to work most days, shaving his commute time down to a predictable 18–20 minutes. And along the way, he’s found more energy, more community, and a lot more joy.
Alex lives just close enough to the office that biking is an option, but far enough that San Francisco Bay Area traffic can completely derail a morning.
“The worst day I was in traffic literally for like 40 minutes,” he said. “By bike, that’s never a problem. It’s consistently about 18 minutes… and I get a workout done.”
Switching to Ridepanda didn’t just save time. It gave Alex control over his mornings, and added more predictability back to his day. Instead of worrying about how bad traffic might be, he now knows exactly how long his commute will take every single time.
Alex doesn’t just use his Ridepanda bike for work. On weekends or evenings, it’s his go-to for quick cardio or a scenic ride. Sometimes that looks like checking Strava for inspiration. Other times it’s as simple as a latte run.
“Sometimes you just want to go for a ride… maybe ride to a coffee shop, get a latte, and head back. Cardio done for the day.”
His bike has become both a practical tool and a wellness habit. He now has a way to sneak exercise into life without scheduling it.
Alex originally estimated that biking was replacing about 10 car trips per week. For him, the shift was both intentional and natural. Part of the motivation came from his company’s benefit structure: if he commutes by bike 10 days a month, his monthly Ridepanda subscription fee is reimbursed. But part of it is simply enjoyment.
“Sometimes the weather is nice and I find I’m more drawn to go to work by bike than by car.”
Alex wasn’t new to biking, but he was new to riding in traffic. Tools like Google Maps’ bike-route recommendations made a big difference. He discovered that his daily route was actually safer and more intuitive than he expected.
“It prioritizes residential areas with less traffic, and it knows where there are bridges to cross major streets. It turned out my route was safer than I originally expected.”
Still, like many new commuters, he occasionally gets nervous mixing with cars. His honesty highlights why infrastructure and confidence matter so much for new riders.
For Alex, the benefits don’t just improve his physical health, they help his mental health too.
“When I commute to work by bike, I arrive with my heart already pumping a little. I feel invigorated… my day has already started. If I drive, I still feel kind of lazy, sluggish. I probably need one or two more coffees before I can really get down to work.”
Biking wakes him up in a way that a traffic-filled drive never could.
Being on a bike also changed how Alex thinks about his surroundings, and where he chooses to live.
“Before, it was like, well, everyone’s driving cars, so I can live a little further. But now I am choosing a more vibrant location with more interesting things around and a sense of community.”
Being out in his neighborhood instead of sealed inside a car, created a stronger connection to the place he calls home.
Alex had never worked anywhere that offered a benefit like Ridepanda’s bike-lease program.
“If it weren’t for Ridepanda, I don’t think I would consider commuting by bike.”
A coworker originally told him about the program, and described it as “kind of like a free bike.” That pitch worked. Alex was especially surprised by the quality options available.
“I thought I’d get a run-of-the-mill hybrid. But the one I got is a gravel bike by Trek. MSRP is like $3,000. I’m really glad I got a sweet gravel bike out of it.”
The ability to choose the right bike for his lifestyle, and even switch models if needed, made the program feel personal and premium. Alex now recommends Ridepanda to coworkers who live close enough to ride. He describes the whole process as “very smooth.”
For Alex, Ridepanda didn’t just shorten his commute. It reopened a chapter of his life.
“It brings me back to old times when I biked to school. I’m really grateful I get to commute by bike again.”
His story shows what’s possible when access, cost, and flexibility aren’t barriers, and when workplaces empower people to choose healthier, cleaner, more joyful ways of getting around.
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