Germany's Bicycle Motif Overtakes Netherlands' Traditional Bike Design
Germany Leads in Bike Leasing Programs for Employees
German companies are leading the way in offering bike leasing to their employees, according to a recent study by fleet service provider Arval. The study, which surveyed fleet managers in 28 countries, found that Germany has the highest proportion of companies with bike leasing or bike sharing programs for employees, significantly ahead of second-place Switzerland.
In Germany, 14% of companies surveyed confirmed offering bike leasing or bike sharing, compared to 8% in Switzerland, 8% in the USA and Portugal, and an average of 4-5% across all countries surveyed. While the numbers may appear lower when considering all employees, Germany still stands out from the pack.
The high adoption rate of bike leasing in Germany can be attributed to several factors. Katharina Schmidt, Arval Germany, explains that tax incentives make bike leasing attractive for companies. Despite the Netherlands being renowned for its cycling culture, it only reaches 4-3% in bike leasing, attributable to existing private bicycle ownership and alternative promotions such as improved infrastructure.
As more companies embrace sustainability strategies, bike leasing offers and bike sharing programs are on the rise. In 2020, only 9% of companies offered bike leasing, according to the 2020 survey. Schmidt anticipates continued growth, with 15% of companies considering bike leasing within the next three years and 20% considering bike sharing.
The German market for micro-mobility, including bikes and e-bikes, is experiencing rapid growth. Key drivers include the growing popularity of e-bikes and ongoing sales pressures resulting from excess inventory. E-bikes are becoming increasingly affordable, with recent price cuts impacting average sales prices.
Industry collaboration, political support, and regional incentives also contribute to Germany's leadership in bike leasing. Organizations such as Zukunft Fahrrad and CONEBI promote bike leasing as part of the mobility transition, working to consolidate and strengthen these schemes. Events like Eurobike help connect industry leaders and share knowledge about bike leasing initiatives.
Changing consumer and employee preferences have also fueled the growth of bike leasing in Germany. There is a growing preference for flexible, healthy, and eco-friendly commuting options, which bike leasing directly addresses. The market’s response to excess inventory and sales pressures makes leasing an attractive alternative to outright purchases for both companies and individuals.
Germany's standing in bike leasing is further supported by its:
- Highly developed and incentivized company bike leasing infrastructure
- Strong collaboration between industry, government, and municipalities
- Rapid adoption of e-bikes and micro-mobility solutions
- Broad-based incentives and support that cover multiple regions and cities
These factors create an environment where companies find it both strategically and financially advantageous to offer bike leasing to employees, contributing to Germany’s leadership in this sector.
- In the pursuit of sustainable strategies, German companies are not only leading in offering bike leasing, but they are also exploring bike sharing programs, with 15% planning to implement bike leasing and 20% considering bike sharing within the next three years.
- As e-bikes gain popularity and become more affordable, and with excess inventory leading to sales pressures, the German market for micro-mobility, including bikes and e-bikes, is experiencing a rapid growth, further strengthening Germany's leadership in bike leasing programs.
