City of Rheine is a bicycle-friendly employer
Rheine. Since 2017, the German Bicycle Club (ADFC) has awarded the EU-wide certification “Bicycle-friendly Employer”. Now the city of Rheine has received the coveted seal in “Gold”. Sara Tsudome, project manager at the ADFC national association, says: “The city of Rheine supports employees who use bicycles to get to work with many different measures. This brings many advantages: The employer can thus score points in company health, environmental and mobility management.”
The city of Rheine is a typically bicycle-friendly mid-sized center in the Münsterland region. After the creation of the bicycle traffic concept and the establishment of a municipal mobility management, the implementation of numerous infrastructure measures will be flanked this year by an admission to the AGFS and the certification of the municipality as a “bicycle-friendly employer”.
What distinguishes a bicycle-friendly employer?
Bicycle-friendly employers save resources and use finances wisely: Bicycle parking is cheaper on the bottom line and takes up less space than car parking. Those who get employees on their bikes therefore benefit several times over. In addition, regular exercise has been proven to improve health and increase motivation.
Mayor Dr. Peter Lüttmann underlines that the motivation in the city hall is right with regard to the “STADTRADELN” campaign. “Since 2017, the city has been participating very successfully in STADTRADELN and the city administration team can regularly be found in the top group in the city’s internal ranking.” he reports proudly. The responsible department head, Milena Schauer, adds: “Of course, it is important that everyone can park their bicycles safely, dry and, if possible, at ground level. We have invested heavily in this in recent years and created secure parking facilities, for example in the underground car park.”
In the course of the renovation and redesign of the entire town hall center with the surrounding square in a central downtown location, contemporary requirements of bicycle traffic are to be taken into account in addition to making the quality of stay more attractive, emphasize both the mayor and the head of the building department. The bicycle-friendliness for employees and visitors could be further enhanced by a service station, charging facilities, modern street furniture and fresh design elements to express appreciation for everyday cyclists and at the same time create an attractive working environment.
Changing facilities and showers are also viewed positively. For a certification it is also looked that there are besides job tickets for the public transport also discounts for those who commute by bike or a bicycle leasing is offered. Especially on the last point, the agreement between the municipal employers’ association and the trade unions now allows municipal leasing services. The city of Rheine has created the basic conditions for this, issued a call for tenders, and will also be offering its employees the option of company bike leasing starting in the spring.
Significance for employee health, sustainability and climate protection
Michael Wolters, mobility manager and bicycle coordinator for the city of Rheine, sees part of his job as systematically promoting bicycle traffic in companies: “If more people come to work by bicycle, this will prevent a lack of exercise. People who come to work by bike save enormous fuel costs, have an average of one-third fewer sick days and a lower risk of infection. Bike-friendly measures contribute to corporate environmental management and climate protection and are an essential part of sustainable mobility management – because employee mobility is also part of thecarbon footprint.”
More information at: www.fahrradfreundlicher-arbeitgeber.de