The best companies for new dads in 2016

The new dream for working fathers is to Netflix and chill.

Netflix is the best workplace for new dads, according to a new report from online parenting guide Fatherly. 

The study, released Tuesday, ranks the 50 best businesses for new dads in the U.S. based on surveying companies directly about their paid leave policies, on-site childcare, workplace flexibility and other factors.

The video company, which had not even ranked among the top 50 on the previous year's list, shot to the top this year thanks in large part to its decision to provide unlimited paid leave to new parents for the first year after their child's birth.

The improved benefits at Netflix, though more generous than most, mirror a broader improvement among large U.S. businesses. Case in point: The average amount of paid time off for employees of the 50 companies on the list nearly doubled from the previous year, according to Fatherly.

Tech companies like Netflix, Facebook and Spotify have helped pave the way for that by introducing expanded perks and accommodations for new parents as part of a benefits arms race to vie for talent in a hyper-competitive market. 

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Facebook, made headlines for taking a high-profile two-month paternity leave after the birth of his first child. 

"Last year when we looked at it, the list was primarily dominated by tech and finance," said Simon Isaacs, cofounder of Fatherly. "Now we are seeing more and more companies understand and value it."

That said, the top of the list is still dominated by the tech industry with Netflix followed by Spotify and Facebook. Patagonia, an outdoor apparel brand, edges out the fourth spot. 

Then comes more tech and finance: Pinterest, Google, Microsoft, Bank of America, LinkedIn and Twitter round out the top 10.

Facebook is praised for providing new parents with a $4,000 "new child benefit" on top of its generous paid leave. 

Pinterest is highlighted for offering a fifth "transition" month for new dads to ease back into the office with a reduced schedule after their four months on paternity leave. 

And Google goes so far as to provide employees with counseling to plan for parenthood. 

This bike disguised as a car is a brilliant geek dream come true

Biking to work may be the choice mode of transportation for some, but if it's cold out, it's a lot less attractive. Here's a creative way to stay warm on a bike in colder climates: Turn your ride into a car!

Sweden-based entrepreneur Mikael Kjellman has designed a pretty rad four-wheel bike concept called PodRide that can handle the harsh weather of the region — something he uses to commute into work every day. Covered in full fabric and a waterproof body to keep dry, it looks more like a car than a bike.

According to the Indiegogo page, the PodRide is powered by an electric bike, with 14-speed bicycle gears. The maximum speed is about 25 km/hour, and it can travel about 60 km on a charge — good for a commute but not necessarily a road trip. Steering occurs via two levels positioned on the sides of the seat. Brakes are built into the handles.

The PodRide has the same seating position and height as a small car, so drivers can be easily spotted in traffic. But it’s also narrow enough for bike paths.

While it’s certainly not as durable as a traditional car, it has bells and whistles that go beyond your traditional bike: It features a heated windshield, studded tires and a trunk to stash your stuff. And you don’t need a driver’s license to operate it.  

Kjellman's creation isn't entirely new — he's been posting videos to YouTube for a few months now — but the new Indiegogo campaign is bringing more attention to the quirky yet practical concept: it's already received more than $20,000 in backing, about 70% of its overall funding goal. 

However, supporting the campaign won't get you a PodRide of you're own, but it'll help you get adiscount. The total cost for a final production model is expected to cost $2,800.