More than 10,000 companies in Austria already offer company bike leasing for their employees. The advantages are obvious, but the offer is not yet available to all employees. Only two federal states have created the legal basis for employee leasing in the public sector. There are still hurdles for federal employees too. We explain the situation during an exciting panel discussion at the bike summit in Saalfelden.

Job bike instead of company car: mobility on the move

The 16th Austrian Cycling Summit not only offered a platform for networking and specialist presentations – a particular highlight was the panel discussion entitled “Job bikes instead of company cars”, in which representatives from leading company bike leasing providers discussed successes, stumbling blocks and prospects. The panel consisted of bike competence members Karin Stopa from JobRad Austria, Helmut Schleich from Bikeleasing-Service Austria, Oliver Hellmons from Lease a Bike Austria and Markus Schuster from Herry Consult, who is in charge of company mobility consulting for klimaaktiv mobil. With Lease a Bike as a new Cycle Competence member, we now welcome the third company bike leasing provider to the circle of member companies.

The advantages are obvious: tax savings, health promotion, employee loyalty – and last but not least, an active contribution to the mobility transition. Helmut Schleich emphasized the synergy effects in the debate: “It’s a win-win situation: employees benefit from tax advantages and companies strengthen their employer brand, often at no extra cost.” Oliver Hellmons drew attention to the benefits for Austria’s specialist retailers: “Leasing customers often choose higher-quality bikes. The effect on specialist retailers is enormous, including regional added value.”

Company bike leasing: hurdles in the public sector

Service bike leasing via salary conversion is currently not permitted for employees whose salaries correspond to the minimum salary according to the collective agreement. This is because their wages would fall below the collective agreement threshold if the monthly company bike cost contribution is deducted (see our article here). In the public sector, other standards apply, which are regulated by state legislation. So far, only two federal states have opened up to company bike leasing for public employees: Vorarlberg and Upper Austria. Here is an overview of current models:

Federal employees may only be provided with a company bike if it is necessary for business purposes, and it is also mandatory to keep a logbook. These hurdles have so far prevented widespread implementation in the federal government.

Company bike model shows success

The Vorarlberg municipality of Lustenau can serve as an example of success, as Kurt Fischer, Mayor of Lustenau until 2025, confirms: “The job bike was a real catalyst for us. We have one of the largest communities of Turkish origin, many of whom previously only traveled by car. Now you see more and more company bikes. This is changing attitudes and lifestyles in the long term. In addition, around a quarter of a million euros has been invested in company bikes for state employees – you can feel that in the region.”

According to Karin Stopa from JobRad Austria, there are three success factors in company bike leasing: :

• Corporate champions who support the model internally
• Employer participation, for example in insurance or residual value
• Strategic anchoring in the corporate identity

The leading providers Bikeleasing-Service, JobRad Austria and Lease a Bike are actively seeking dialog with the federal states together with the Association of Sporting Goods Manufacturers & Sports Retailers (VSSÖ) in order to create the necessary background knowledge and inform staff representatives and trade unions. They reaffirm: A genuine “job bike for all” can only be achieved by joining forces. After all, the company bike model is a lever for sustainable mobility: ecologically, economically and socially. In order for its full potential to be realized, it needs a political framework, internal company champions and a clear commitment to sustainable change.

The service bike panelists at the cycling summit with moderator Birgit Pobatschnig and Federal Cycling Coordinator Martin Eder (BMIMI).