There's no question that e-bikes are loads of fun. But they also have way more to offer than just recreation. They're also powerful tools for businesses that are looking to save money, boost efficiency, and do good while doing well.
Depending on the nature of your business, adopting #BikesforBusiness could mean:
- Using e-bikes to deliver food or parcels
- Offering bikes for hire to hotel or resort guests
- Offering pool bikes to employees for getting around your worksite
- Creating a Ride to Work scheme to help employees commute by e-bike
Or another unique commercial application not listed here.
No matter how your business uses e-bikes, you'll reap some serious benefits. Here are seven smart reasons to adopt #BikesforBusiness.
1. Save 60% or more on vehicle costs.
E-bikes are just plain cheaper to own and operate than cars or scooters. The cost to power an e-bike is minuscule compared to the price of fuel. Initial capital costs, storage, parking, insurance, and maintenance and repairs are also much cheaper for e-bikes.
How much money could you save? It depends on how you'll use the bikes. In the US, it costs businesses about 57.5 cents per mile to own and operate a car. Using e-bikes instead slashes that figure by at least 60%. The more you ride, the more you save.
2. Save time and avoid productivity losses due to delays.
For many businesses, staying on schedule is a challenge, especially in big cities, popular tourist destinations, and other high-traffic places. Traffic jams and slow-moving traffic can throw off even the best-laid plans, leading to lost time and money.
But e-bike riders can bypass traffic and choose more efficient routes using bike lanes. Adopting #BikesforBusiness can save time and lend some much-needed predictability to your business operations.
You know that stretch of road that takes 20 minutes to clear on a good day, but over an hour when the traffic's at its worst? It'll take an e-bike rider almost exactly the same amount of time, every time—so you'll always know when your delivery or employee will show up.
3. Slash parking and storage costs.
Unlike car and scooter parking, e-bike parking is almost always free—so you can say goodbye to parking fees and fines. There are also far fewer restrictions on e-bike parking. That means your employees will spend less time hunting for legal parking and more time being productive.
E-bikes are also dramatically cheaper to store than cars, vans, and trucks. A standard-size car parking space can easily fit ten or more e-bikes. E-bikes that can fold flat or park vertically have even smaller footprints and can be stored in a variety of unexpected locations. All that adds up to lower rent and fewer logistical problems for business owners.
4. No licensing means easier hiring and simpler logistics.
Your employees won't need a license to operate an e-bike. That means you'll have a larger pool of candidates to choose from when hiring.
E-bikes can be ridden by any employee at any time, without any worries about licensing requirements. Whenever there's a job that needs doing, whoever is available can just hop on and ride.
And in most localities, there's no need to pay a registration fee for an e-bike, either.
5. Healthier employees take fewer sick days.
Riding an e-bike is an excellent form of low-impact exercise. It's a great way to promote overall health and immune function among your employees, particularly if they're mostly sedentary at work. Healthier employees mean less absenteeism due to illness and higher productivity.
In fact, research has shown that, on average, cyclists use two fewer sick days per year than non-cyclists. Since sick days are costly to businesses, getting your employees on bikes could result in some significant savings.
6. Physically active employees are happier and more productive.
Having your employees ride e-bikes could help boost productivity and save money in a few different ways.
The first is related to the time savings and predictability we mentioned earlier. Because of traffic and public transportation delays, many employees struggle to get to work on time. Delayed commutes have a domino effect that leads to decreased productivity all day long. These productivity losses cost the average company tens of thousands of dollars each year.
Because cycling is usually faster than driving or taking public transportation over short distances, workers who commute by bicycle experience far fewer delayed commutes. They're also perceived as more productive by their employers.
Next, even if your employees aren't using e-bikes to commute daily, any extra exercise your employees get is likely to boost productivity. That's because physical activity leads to increased energy and mental sharpness. Low-intensity exercise like e-biking is particularly helpful for raising energy levels without causing fatigue.
Finally, e-biking is tons of fun and a huge mood-booster. Getting your staff on e-bikes can boost morale, which is key to a well-functioning organization.
7. Using zero-emissions vehicles helps the environment (while making your company look awesome).
Unlike cars and scooters, e-bikes are zero-emissions vehicles. They're a terrific way for your company to get the job done while minimizing your impact on the local air quality and the global climate.
Today's consumers are more eco-conscious than ever, and they expect businesses to do their part to protect the environment. This has an impact on how they spend their money, especially for younger consumers. A recent survey found that 88% of American consumers say they'll be more loyal to a company that supports social or environmental issues.
Adopting #BikesforBusiness lets you do the right thing for the environment while developing an environmentally friendly corporate identity.
Interested in learning how businesses like yours can benefit from e-bikes? Get in touch.
