Companies in Germany incentivizing employees with bike provisions - German corporations spearheading labor forces' advancements
German Companies Dominate Employee Bike Leasing and Sharing
In the realm of bike leasing and bike sharing, German companies are setting the global standard. According to the latest fleet barometer by Arval, no other of the 28 countries surveyed comes close to Germany's commitment to these environmentally friendly modes of transport for employees.
A staggering 14% of German companies offer bike leasing or bike sharing services, marking a significant gap from second-place Switzerland, which stands at 8%. The United States and Portugal share the runner-up position for bike sharing, with each garnering 8% as well. The average across all countries hovers around 4% for leasing and 5% for sharing.
It is essential to note that the aforementioned percentages refer to companies that offer the services, not the percentage of employees taking advantage of these offers. In this category, Germany continues to lead the pack.
Tax advantages serve as the primary catalyst for this widespread adoption of bike leasing in Germany. As Katharina Schmidt of Arval Germany explains, the presence of tax incentives makes bike leasing an attractive proposition for companies. Unlike in the Netherlands, known as a bicycle-friendly nation, the leasing offer in Germany is much more extensive, with only 4% and 3% participation in the Netherlands. This, Schmidt suggests, is partly due to the prevalence of private bikes and other cycling promotion methods in the Netherlands, such as superior infrastructure.
The adoption of bike-related services continues to grow within German companies. Arval's 2020 survey indicated that only 9% of companies offered leasing before, with Schmidt anticipating further growth in the coming years. In fact, 15% of companies are currently considering introducing bike leasing within the next three years, while the number for bike sharing stands at 20%.
These figures underscore the increasing emphasis on sustainability within corporate strategies. As Schmidt put it, "This is part of the sustainability strategy of the companies; there's no going back." The survey supports her assertion, with companies looking to make mobility more eco-friendly and employee-friendly alike.
The barometer surveyed 8,061 fleet decision-makers from 28 European, North, and South American countries, with 300 hailing from Germany. The findings solidify Germany's position as a frontrunner in employee bike leasing and sharing, attributable to the tax benefits, employer support, variety of options, low administration costs, and the promotion of health and sustainability.
- In light of the tax benefits and sustainability emphasis, an increasing number of German companies are implementing community policies that incorporate employee bike leasing and sharing, setting a global example.
- As technology evolves, it is expected that employment policies in various industries will integrate lifestyle changes, such as the promotion of active commuting options like bike leasing and sharing, to improve employee health and well-being.
