You have got to love Google. Not only do they consistently redefine employee benefits, but they're also incredibly forward-thinking when it comes to issues like the environment.

Late last year, the California-based company announced that they would be installing 1.6 megawatts of solar energy atop their Mountain View campus buildings; the largest corporate solar venture in the U.S. Now, they're giving each employee a bike and encouraging everyone to ride to work on two wheels. The program will be available to more than 2,000 permanent employees located in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Each bike will branded with the Google name and come with a free helmet. There will be plenty of options to choose from for both men and women; with even a "fold-up" version available for people who can only bike halfway. According to Google's Director of Human Resources and Staffing overseas, Liane Hornsey, the bikes will give each employee the opportunity "keep fit and healthy, get to know their city better and reduce the environmental impact of their journey to work." Who can argue with that?

It's about time we get more in touch with bikes. Remember when you were a kid and it was the only lifesaving mode of transportation available? I used to bike for miles everyday — and up until recently, covered less ground in my car daily than I used to on my bike. Sure, there's obvious reasons for having a car handy, but biking is something that's so easily overlooked. It's great to see Google actually encouraging the practice and giving people an opportunity to enjoy something we all seem to forget as we get older. Hit the jump for more information!