Only a third (32 percent) of employers in the Netherlands offer their staff a lease bicycle or a bicycle scheme. This while 8 out of 10 working Dutch people see this as a nice fringe benefit that fits in with a modern and sustainable mobility policy. This is apparent from the survey by ALD Automotive among more than 1.100 working Dutch people.
“There are therefore many opportunities for the bicycle, not only in terms of sustainability, but also to position yourself more attractively as an employer”
Lease company ALD Automotive has conducted research over the past three years into the use of bicycles or e-bikes for commuting among working Dutch people. This year, the survey shows that no less than 79 percent thinks a company e-bike is a very nice fringe benefit. Another 76 percent believe that a lease bicycle should not be missing in a modern (sustainable) mobility policy and that it is part of being an attractive employer.
“There are therefore great opportunities here and it is actually low hanging fruit for employers. Electric driving and the option to also lease a bicycle or e-bike are sustainable options that allow a company to position itself in the current labor market as an attractive and sustainable employer.”
Employer incentive
Two years ago, 71 percent of employees were open to a lease bicycle. This has now risen to 77 percent of employees who are interested in a business lease bicycle, possibly in combination with a lease car.
“At the moment, only a third of employers offer a company bicycle. While the research shows that an arrangement through the employer is the best incentive to get employees on their bicycles. So there is definitely potential. The distance to work is the biggest barrier to leaving the car. If you qualify for a lease bike and you can go to work with an e-bike, then distances of 15-25 kilometers are much easier to bridge.”
Tax remains difficult
Taxation surrounding company bicycles remains difficult. 55 percent of employees still do not know what the tax rules for a company bicycle are, Van der Horst sees in the research back. Half of the working Dutch think that the government has a role to play here and that it can encourage the use of the bicycle for commuting by making it more attractive from a tax point of view. “And above all to make it easier”, estimates Van der Horst. In any case, the government can play a greater role in encouraging the use of bicycles as an alternative means of transport for commuting. A third of the respondents would also like to pay more attention to bicycle safety in traffic, the construction of fast bicycle paths and more guarded bicycle sheds.
“The scheme must be made simpler and more attractive for employers and employees. The red tape surrounding the company bicycle has a demotivating effect. In addition, the use of the company bicycle chafes with the tax-free travel allowance, the work-related expenses scheme and the addition. If we, together with the government, can ensure that fewer people drop out, the future for the lease bicycle will be even better and it will contribute to employee satisfaction.”
