Bernburg. Bicycle leasing at the Salzlandkreis – the local authority has recently introduced another modern scheme for its staff. As an employer, the district will lease bicycles for its staff to use. This is a tax-efficient deferred compensation scheme, which has only been available in the public sector for a few years. And it is now a reality at the Salzlandkreis.
"We consulted on this immediately. The advantages are obvious, both practically and financially. Good for health, the working climate and the environment. And even economic development if regional specialist retailers cooperate," explains District Administrator Markus Bauer. As a modern employer, the Salzland district bears social responsibility and is open to new ideas. "Just as we are efficiently reorganising the use of buildings and our vehicle fleet and enabling mobile working, we are also promoting cycling. We have calculated that if our employees travel an average of around 80,000 kilometres to work each month without using a car, this alone will reduce CO2 emissions by 14 percent. We are providing further incentives to change mobility behaviour and increase the share of cycling, because active climate protection and cycling are the focus of our agenda in the Salzlandkreis 2030 development strategy for the entire residential, business and science location."
An online survey commissioned by the Salzland district as part of its 2024 climate protection concept revealed that many Salzland residents would like to have the option of leasing company bikes with a subsequent purchase option for modern mobility. So why not set a good example yourself?
The department and staff council spent months preparing the issue of bicycle leasing at the district administration in a joint working group. They developed solutions and a service agreement. The district council was involved in good time and an award procedure was carried out. JobRad GmbH became the contractual partner. The Freiburg-based company is regarded as the inventor of company bike leasing in Germany, an innovation and market leader in the sector. At the end of last year, the two millionth customer received her personal dream bike via JobRad.
"It remains to be seen how many employees we will reach with our own leasing programme. We are assuming ten to fifteen per cent, but every single extra person who cycles to work pays off in terms of our climate protection concept." The district administrator sees worthwhile benefits, especially as the leasing bike can be used for both business and private purposes.
Company bike leasing is an attractive way to obtain a high-quality bike or e-bike at a favourable price. Leasing is financed via deferred compensation, i.e. a monthly amount is deducted from the employee's gross salary and paid by the lessee to the provider. The effects of this advance deduction on tax and social security contributions can be individually determined via the JobRad Internet portal and thus decided for oneself. Interested parties can also find a network of co-operating dealers there to help them choose their new dream bike or pedelec. If the employer or employer agrees to the offer, nothing stands in the way of the transfer. Any bike or e-bike within the specified price range can become a company bike and promote environmentally friendly transport. After three years of use, the individual leasing and hire contract ends, which in the specific case of the Salzland district also includes insurance and a maintenance package. Afterwards, previous users have the option of buying it at a favourable price or returning it.
The process is simple, the digital JobRad platform makes the process uncomplicated for the Salzlandkreis employer and its employees.