Company bikes in Germany – Are they associated with the frequency of bicycle commuting and everyday cycling?

Janina Welsch and Frederic Rudolph from the T3 Transportation Think Tank, have jointly published an article in the journal “Active Travel Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal.” The study examines company bikes, which can form part of employers’ mobility management and cycling promotion schemes. However, it has been unclear, whether and to what extent they influence actual bicycle usage. The results show, that company bikes are a significant positive factor for commuting by bicycle. However, compared to the lowest usage frequence, this applies only to the middle category and not to the highest. A “company bicycle effect” is also not directly detectable in everyday cycling. However, indirect effects can be assumed. The majority of company bikies are e-bikes, and these show a significant positive association with both cycling to work and in everyday cycling. Particularly in view of the current rise in petrol and diesel prices, the bicycle could become an increasingly attractive alternative for many employees for short and medium distances. Here, the company bike provides employers with an effective tool to promote more sustainable commuting. https://doi.org/10.16997/ats.1774. Further current publications can be found here. here.