December 8, 2010 (Conshohocken, PA) – IKEA’s 12,400 employees in the U.S.A. will each receive a gift of a new bicycle this holiday season branded with the company’s trademark colours. Mike Ward, IKEA US President, explained that 2010 was a good year for the company.

“It’s been a good year for IKEA, so what better way to celebrate our success than to thank our IKEA co-workers for being strongly committed to working together. We hope this bike will be taken in the spirit of the season while supporting a healthy lifestyle and everyday sustainable transport.” Apparently the gift was a surprise to the employees until 9:30 a.m. (in each time zone) on Tuesday, December 7.

IKEA notes that riding a bicycle 30 minutes a day can burn a number of calories equivalent to an individual shedding 30 lbs. Cycling just 30km a week can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 50%. Riding a bike versus owning and driving a car can also save an individual $8,000 annually in automobile-related costs (gasoline, general car maintenance, and insurance costs).

Describing itself as the world’s leading home furnishings company, IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943 and now has 300 stores worldwide. IKEA supports charities that benefit causes such as children and the environment including UNICEF, Save the Children and American Forests – read more here.