D.C. area employers offer incentives to bike commuters

Bob Patten's morning routine is different from most commuters'. With a helmet, special shoes and a yellow reflective vest, he bypasses the frustrations of stop-and-go traffic and Metro delays as he bikes the two miles from his home in Takoma Park to his job in Hyattsville....

But the difficulties don't stop him. And companies such as Toole are using incentive programs to encourage employees to bike to work. Cycling enthusiasts hope the idea gets a boost as thousands of people take two-wheelers to the office Friday on Bike to Work Day, a national event that encourages bicycle safety and awareness.