Source: Velobiz

With 41% of Germany’s passenger travel being work-related, more could be done to expand the share that is completed by e-bike. A range of experts in Germany’s e-bike, cycling and business sectors spoke to Velobiz about the untapped potential – particularly for shorter journeys.

Six senior figures were posed the question “Where do you see untapped potential for bicycles in corporate mobility, and how can this potential be tapped?”

A variety of factors and usage scenarios were examined to determine what steps can be taken to further encourage the switch to e-bikes, cargo bikes and conventional cycles for work-related travel.

Creating a cargo bike-friendly environment

Carina Heinz, Consultant at the German Institute of Urban Affairs, viewed the situation from a municipal perspective and highlighted the great potential for cargo bike use to be maximised. “Municipalities play a key role in unlocking this potential: They are the driving force! On the one hand, they can set a good example themselves – for example, by integrating cargo bikes into municipally owned operations, public utilities, or administrative fleets. On the other hand, they can create the right framework for companies to also embrace cycling: by designating suitable delivery and loading zones, providing safe parking and charging infrastructure, implementing targeted funding programs, and supporting corporate mobility management processes.”

Eileen Niehaus, Managing Director of transport transition agency Cargobike.jetzt, agrees that there is enormous potential for the deployment of cargo bikes and trailers, specifically in the commercial sector for the delivery of medium-weight, not-too-bulky goods. “Especially as a supplement to existing fleets, bicycles offer enormous advantages: time savings by avoiding traffic jams and no longer having to search for parking spaces, savings in purchase and maintenance, the ability to employ employees without a driver’s license, and much more.”

Eileen went on to share details of a website they have created, cargobikes4business.com, which aims to better inform business owners about which type of cargo bike or trailer set-up would be most suitable for their business. She also emphasises the importance of trying some of the options out: “When businesses test bikes or trailers, they can best see how useful they are and even how fun they can be.”

The outlook for commuters

Axel Schäfer, Managing Director of the Federal Association for Corporate Mobility, shared data from their own survey which shows that over a quarter of employees have short commutes of five kilometers or less, but still more travel by car than by bike. Encouragingly, however, 21% of employees indicate they plan to change mobility behaviour in the next few years, and cycling features in those plans.

Axel highlights how a combination of employer policies and municipal measures can facilitate this switch: “Companies can tap into this potential by actively facilitating cycling: company bike leasing, secure parking spaces, charging infrastructure for e-bikes, and showers and changing rooms at the workplace are key factors. However, it is also crucial that municipalities provide continuous and safe bike paths. Only the combination of employer-provided services and good infrastructure creates the foundation for cycling to become a viable alternative in everyday working life.”

Berthold Schröder, President of the Chamber of Crafts (HWK) Dortmund, agrees that a bike-positive employment situation can be the deciding factor for potential employees: “Some companies, both in urban and rural areas, already offer their employees company bikes. There are many reasons for this. In addition to environmental and health concerns, such an offer can increase employer attractiveness—an important factor in the competition for skilled workers.”

Berthold also notes that German people are travelling longer distances by bike – a point which is expanded on by Sarah-Helene Sowa, Head of Sustainability at Riese & Müller. “E-bikes offer enormous potential for companies, which has often not yet been fully exploited. They offer employees the opportunity to easily cover even longer commutes and journeys to work, while still arriving at work in an active yet relaxed manner. The advantages are particularly evident in urban environments: no traffic jams, no long searches for parking spaces, and in many cases, even significantly faster journeys than by car. Cargo bikes further expand this spectrum by offering the necessary storage space for work materials or personal errands.”

Amelie Suttner, Project Manager for Conferences and Community at consultancy organisation Velokonzept, concurs that cycle-friendly employer policies and facilities have a part to play, but goes further. “What’s crucial are the people who bring enthusiasm into the company – ambassadors and motivators who engage colleagues, inspire them, and make them want to cycle. This is how, step by step, a mobility culture emerges in which cycling becomes a matter of course – and offers lead to real (behavioural) change.”

Sarah-Helene agrees that company culture is crucial: “Management also plays a key role: When executives get on their bikes themselves, they send a clear signal: Sustainable mobility is not just a concept, but part of a lived corporate culture.”