Brussels, 7 July 2025 — A
new white paper from the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) shows how company bike leasing (CBL)—a proven success in Germany—could become a powerful accelerator for sustainable mobility across Europe. The report, developed in collaboration with JobRad Group, explores how the right fiscal measures can unlock access to cycling for millions of employees and support climate goals, healthier cities, and a thriving bike industry.
The study highlights how company bike leasing, pioneered in Germany through gross salary conversion and low benefit-in-kind taxation, has led to an active fleet of 2.1 million leased bikes by the end of 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 30% since 2019.
“
This model shows the huge potential for cycling in corporate employee mobility with the right fiscal tools in place,” said
Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation.
A Game-Changer for Climate, Health, and Inclusion
With 78% of leased bikes in Germany being e-bikes, the scheme is significantly contributing to providing convenient and fast sustainable transport options for all. E-bikes, a true alternative for the daily workplace-commute, have a carbon footprint 12 times lower than cars. Furthermore, the report cites potential transport emission reductions of 33.5% in Germany, 22.8% in Sweden, and 24% in the UK under supportive policy frameworks.
CBL is also making cycling accessible to broader segments of society—including those in rural areas, people with lower fitness levels, and employees previously deterred by high upfront costs of quality (e-)bikes.
A Win for Workers, Employers, and the Economy
Leasing (e-)bikes through gross salary conversion can reduce employee costs by up to 40% compared to direct purchase in Germany, with payment spread over several years and supported by several actors. The scheme has also proven popular with employers: by the end of 2024, nearly 270,000 German companies and public organisations had adopted it.
Beyond mobility, the scheme supports health, talent retention, and corporate sustainability—77% of German companies list bike leasing as a top employee mobility benefit.
In 2024, the company bike leasing market in Germany generated €3.1 billion in revenue only at providers, a figure that does not include other parts of the value chain such as insurance companies, leasing banks, or repair services. In Germany alone, bike leasing supports around 489,000 jobs in the wider cycling sector.
Ulrich Prediger, Founder and Member of the Supervisory Board of JobRad Group: "
Company bike leasing is a positive driver for the economy, society, and the environment. European institutions and Member States must recognise its benefits, as was done by the German government and public authorities, leveraging the steering effect of fiscal policy for sustainable mobility. While we have the expertise to unite the relevant players for the leasing process, the groundwork needs to be laid by policymakers who enable company bike leasing through gross salary conversion."
Circular Economy Benefits
The report also touches upon the circular economy dimension of bike leasing. Through bicycle refurbishing, provided for example by
JobRad Loop, used bikes which are not purchased by employees at the end of the leasing cycle, are restored and resold in Europe—prolonging product life, reducing waste, and creating new employment opportunities.
A Call to Action for the EU and Member States
The ECF calls on decision-makers at EU and national level to use the lessons learnt from the German bike leasing success model and the steering effect of fiscal measures to apply it to this healthy and climate-friendly form of mobility and transport with positive impact to the economy:
- The upcoming EU Greening Corporate Fleets initiative should include all zero-emission means of transport, including (e-)bikes.
- Member States should consider introducing tax incentives for salary conversion models supporting the provision of company bikes and bike leasing.
These concrete steps would help to fulfil a commitment in the European Declaration on Cycling adopted in 2024: Encouraging companies, organisations and institutions to promote cycling through mobility management schemes such as cycle to work incentives or the provision of company (e-)bikes. With rising e-bike interest across the continent, now is the time to scale a policy that delivers social, environmental, and economic returns.
Download the white paper here.
Media contact:
Daniel Lissoni,
[email protected]
Communications and Media Manager
European Cyclists’ Federation
