WELLINGTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- You never thought riding a bike could earn you some real money, until now. A small business in New Zealand is paying its employees if they bike to work, in a bid to help protect the environment and boost employees' fitness.

Make Collective, a creative and advertising agency, is offering 5 New Zealand dollars (3.65 U.S. dollars) per day for its staff to cycle to work, and the money could be doubled if they keep it up for six months, local media reported.

The plan was launched last week, and employees will be paid with a cash bonus at the end of each year.

"My gut instinct is that it could be something really good for the workplace. I know for myself I show up feeling a lot more energized, my blood is already flowing," company owner Tim Chesney was quoted by local news website Stuff as saying.

The company's developer Elliot Gilmore said it had been "hard" for him to change his commute habit. "Recovering (from exercising) once I get to work is the hardest part," he said, while noting that it's good for his health.

Some employees have been hesitating to join the project due to a lack of shower facilities in the office, and Chesney said they are working on possible solutions.