Saxony-Anhalt's Company Bike Leasing Program Off to a Strong Start

Magdeburg – The "company bike" leasing program for employees of the Saxony-Anhalt state administration, launched in June, is off to a strong start, according to the Ministry of Finance. As of July 28, 1,137 employees had taken advantage of the offer, with many more signaling their interest through portal registrations.

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The number of registrations in the service provider's portal goes far beyond that.

The ministry deems the initial uptake as "very good," noting that with approximately 50,000 state employees eligible, the registration of over 2,500 individuals within the first six weeks represents a participation rate exceeding five percent. Registration is the mandatory first step, granting employees access to the service provider's portal to select a bicycle and initiate the leasing process.

The program has seen particularly high adoption rates within the police and school sectors. The leasing service is most frequently utilized in the cities of Halle and Magdeburg. This initiative allows employees to convert a portion of their salary into monthly lease payments for a bicycle, potentially offering savings of up to 40% through tax incentives, as reported by the German Cyclists' Association (ADFC).

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The leasing offer is particularly well received by the police and school sectors.

Saxony-Anhalt's move follows a broader national trend, with states like Schleswig-Holstein, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Lower Saxony already offering similar "company bike" leasing options. The state government incurs no direct additional costs, aiming instead to boost its attractiveness as an employer. In contrast, Thuringia rejected a similar program in 2022, citing a lack of conclusive evidence on its impact on mobility behavior.

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With approximately 50,000 state employees, of whom however not every person is eligible for bicycle leasing, a registration in the portal by more than 2,500 employees represents a quota of over five percent, which has already been achieved within the first six weeks after the start.