Company bike leasing is becoming increasingly attractive in Germany. According to Deloitte's Mobility Study 2022, 60 per cent of employees find leasing a bike through their employer attractive. However, only 20 per cent of those surveyed are currently able to make use of this option because their companies do not yet offer company bike leasing. To help companies find the right provider for company bike or e-bike leasing, it is worth comparing providers. We show what is important when comparing company bike leasing providers in 2024.
A company bike is a bicycle that employers make available to their employees, usually via bike leasing or, in particular, via e-bike leasing. In principle, bicycle leasing is nothing more than the provision of a bicycle or e-bike over a certain period of time, which is usually three years for providers. The employee does not become the owner of the bike, but pays a monthly instalment for the use of the bike.
Company bike leasing is an attractive employee benefit that not only promotes flexible and sustainable mobility for employees, but also has a positive impact on their health. Employees can use these bikes for their daily commute to work, for business purposes and also for private journeys.
The name of the company bike differs depending on the leasing provider - e.g. company bicycle, company bike, company bike, job bike - but it always means the same thing: a bicycle that employees receive from their employer via a bicycle leasing programme, also known as bike leasing.
Company bike leasing is extremely simple. The leasing company concludes a contract with the employer, who then makes the leased bike or e-bike available to the employee. The employer acts as the lessee and leases the e-bike from a leasing company. He leaves the bike to the employee, who can cycle to work or use it for private mobility.
The leasing contract is limited to 36 months and cannot be cancelled within this period. There is a special right of cancellation under certain conditions.
The following options are available for the provision of a company bike by the employer:
In our company bike leasing guide, we explain in detail how company bike leasing works using these two options.
Create the work place of tomorrow with NAVIT. We are happy to support you with designing the best mobility solution for your company. Get in touch with us!
Contact us
Company bike leasing offers numerous advantages for employers and companies.
Company bike or e-bike leasing also has many advantages for employees and staff. The advantages for employees and staff at a glance:
Our mobility experts at NAVIT would love to share their knowledge with you about the new mobility product. Feel free to get in touch with us!
Get infoThere are a large number of company bike and e-bike leasing providers in Germany. In order to find the right offer or provider for you as an employer or employee, there are several criteria that need to be considered when making a comparison.
The monthly costs are a decisive factor when choosing a leasing provider. The costs of the leasing contract, the costs for insurance and possible service or repair services should be taken into account. The monthly costs are always made up of the leasing instalment, the insurance instalment and a service fee. The service fee can vary depending on the provider package.
Both sides must always be considered when it comes to costs: Employers and employees. For employees, the financing conditions are important. For employers, potential savings compared to a company car, among other things, are more relevant.
In addition to the selected provider and bike model, the monthly costs also depend on the individual requirements of the lessee. The factors that influence the actual net charge include, among others: Tax class, federal state, child allowances, church affiliation. The individual factors sometimes have a weaker and sometimes a stronger effect on the actual net burden of employees.
Bicycle brands and models
In order to find the right bike for their individual needs, companies should primarily consider the range of bike types and brands as well as the accessories on offer when choosing a bike leasing provider. It should be noted that no leasing provider is tied to a specific bike brand and the selection is not limited to e-bikes. In addition to e-bikes, this includes leasing models such as city bikes, trekking bikes, mountain bikes, racing bikes, cargo bikes, pedelecs and e-cargo bikes. However, the exact selection depends on the individual offers of the respective leasing provider. The company bike providers usually have a wide range of bicycles and e-bikes from which employees can choose.
Bicycle dealer network
In addition to the types and brands of bikes on offer, the dealer network of the bike leasing providers is decisive. It should be emphasised that the vast majority of specialist dealers are now partners of several leasing providers. A well-developed network of specialist dealers in the vicinity is important so that employees can pick up their bike or e-bike quickly and easily, have it serviced or repaired.
The leasing contract for a company bike is usually fixed for 36 months. But what happens at the end of the contract term?
At the end of the leasing contract, employees have two options: They can return the bike to the lessor or, if they wish to keep the bike, they can submit a purchase offer and buy the bike at the end of the contract.
Takeover of the bike at the end of the contract term
If the employee wants to take over the company bike at the end of the contract term, a residual value is recognised for the bike after the leasing period, which is 15 to 18 percent of the original gross purchase value, depending on the leasing provider. Companies and employees should pay attention to the tax details here: The tax authorities set a much higher residual value of 40 per cent for a bicycle or e-bike after a leasing period of three years. The difference between this value and the residual value actually paid must be taxed by the buyer as a non-cash benefit. However, leasing providers generally offer to take on this tax burden and deal with the tax authorities directly, so that neither costs nor administrative work arise for the buyer.
Special right of cancellation and return
For employers, it may be important to know which regulations apply if an employee cancels their contract or takes parental leave: All providers offer protection cover here - a kind of special cancellation right where the company bike can be returned. Nevertheless, the regulations can differ in detail between providers. A closer look will help you make the right decision.
Scope of the service offering
The scope of the services offered, such as maintenance, repairs, the handling of damage or the replacement of wearing parts, differs from leasing provider to leasing provider. However, it is clear that the service and insurance benefits offered by leasing providers have converged considerably in recent years. A comparison between the providers is nevertheless worthwhile for individual needs.
With the vast majority of providers, there is no longer a minor damage limit. This means that even supposedly minor issues can be covered by the providers, which means that a visit to a specialist garage is definitely recommended.
Mobility guarantee
As the name suggests, the mobility guarantee is intended to ensure that employees can remain mobile even in the event of a defect or theft. For providers, this means that they also cover any follow-up costs that may arise, such as overnight accommodation. It should be noted here that these services vary considerably depending on the leasing partner. Whether, how quickly and how unbureaucratically the respective services are actually provided in the event of damage also varies from provider to provider.
There are a large number of company bike and e-bike leasing providers in Germany. Here is an overview of the most common providers of company bike leasing:
Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest insights about our mobility solution products like the 49 eurojob ticket.
