Only 16% of employers have collective agreements on sustainable mobility.
The recently published research by the Directorate-General for Mobility (DGMo) offers a nuanced picture of how Dutch employers with more than 100 employees promote sustainable travel behavior among their employees. This in-depth survey ran from May to June and approached companies through both written invitations and telephone contact. With 1.016 fully completed questionnaires, it offers a wealth of information.
Although 60% of employees still travel to work by car, a positive shift is noticeable. For example, the number of charging points for electric cars has increased from an average of six to ten per company location. However, this progress varies depending on company size. For employers with more than 500 employees, the increase in charge points is stronger than for smaller employers. This suggests a gap between the capacity of large and small organizations to implement sustainable measures.
The bicycle is steadily gaining ground in the Dutch business community, stimulated by extensive and improved facilities
While the trends are encouraging, challenges remain. For example, the number of bicycle parking facilities and charging points must be in proportion to demand, and not every work location is easily accessible by bicycle. It is also questionable whether the increased facilities actually encourage employees to cycle, or whether they merely reinforce the existing cycling culture.
Bicycle parking facilities are almost universally present at Dutch employers, an indication that bicycles are recognized as an important means of transport. But what is particularly striking is the emergence of additional facilities such as changing rooms, showers, lockers and charging points for electric bicycles. The bicycle shed is therefore no longer an afterthought; it becomes a central element in a company's broader sustainability policy.
Most employers now have bicycle storage, and many now also offer additional services such as changing rooms, showers, and even charging points for electric bicycles, which have increased from an average of seven to eleven per location. This shows that cycling is more than an afterthought; it is taken seriously as a sustainable alternative to travel.
The research also points to the stability of working from home as a phenomenon. Despite the pandemic impact, the percentage of employees regularly working from home remains unchanged at 33%. However, this also means that there is an increase in the percentage of employers without an active policy for spreading office occupancy, from 25% to 33%. While working from home offers benefits, it also brings new challenges, such as balancing flexibility and productivity.
Only 16% of employers have collective agreements on sustainable mobility. However, this percentage cannot be ignored, especially when we consider that 79% of employees are covered by a collective agreement. The fact that 30% of employers now have a certification or label in the field of sustainability, compared to 20% last year, is another positive sign.
Although less investment is expected in home working facilities, there is a general expectation of growth in the number of electric cars and charging stations. However, this trend is less strong in the public sector, possibly indicating budgetary or bureaucratic obstacles.
The challenge lies not only in moving to more sustainable modes of transport, but also in addressing broader behavioral and policy issues. The DGMo study highlights the need for a holistic approach. Steps have been taken, but a focused effort from both the private and public sectors is needed to bring about substantial change.
