As oil prices skyrocket, so do employer-paid e-bike and scooter subscriptions

Ridepanda subscriptions, which allow companies to offer e-bike and scooter subscriptions as a workplace perk, are up over 300% as commute costs soar.

1 minute read

May 14, 2026, 8:00 AM PDT

By Christine McLaren


As gas prices soar amidst the United States and Israel’s conflict in Iran, e-bike subscriptions are seeing a simultaneous boom as workplaces get on board.

Fast Company reports that major companies and institutions like Amazon, Google, Axon and universities are partnering with Ridepanda, which allows companies to offer e-bike and scooter subscriptions as a workplace perk.

"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," Kristin Toussaint reports. "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."

Read the full story below. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in Fast Company

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

October 31 - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight