Number of Belgian Employees Commuting by Bike Doubles
A new analysis finds that the number of workers in Belgium cycling to work has nearly doubled since 2019, with financial incentives from employers on the rise.
The number of Belgian employees commuting to work by bike has nearly doubled since 2019, according to data from human resources company SD Worx. The study, released during Sustainable Mobility Week, showed that in the first half of this year alone, average cycling compensation reached about 45 euros per month, totaling roughly 350 euros per person for bicycle journeys. SD Worx analyzed the commuting patterns of more than 185,000 private sector workers, finding that one in seven employees used a bike to get to work last May, compared to one in fourteen during the same period in 2019.
The use of bicycles for commuting is most prevalent in the Flemish region, where about 20% of employees bike to work and 40% of employers offer bicycle compensation. In contrast, in the Walloon region, only 2.5% of workers cycle to work and 13% of employers provide bike-related financial support. The Brussels region falls between these two, with 7% of employees cycling and 28% of employers supporting the practice. SD Worx noted that in March alone, 13% of employees received bike compensation—numbers not seen even during last summer.
Experts say cycling to work becomes especially popular during the summer months, but an increasing number of people are choosing two wheels year-round, regardless of weather conditions. The percentage of employers offering cycling compensation has surged from 17.85% in 2019 to 33.13% this year. SD Worx highlights that promoting cycling not only benefits the environment but also positively impacts employee health.
