LAPP is a “Bicycle-Friendly Employer”

“I’m very happy to be certified as a bicycle-friendly employer. It confirms that we’re on the right track with our efforts to improve the conditions for employees who cycle to work”, says Matthias Lapp, CEO of U.I. Lapp GmbH. LAPP’s target is to motivate employees to switch to public transport or bikes. However, Matthias Lapp also emphasises: “Unfortunately, switching to public transport or bikes is not feasible for most of our employees due to the long distances, the topography, or poor connections between work and home”. A survey at LAPP showed that 70 percent of employees depend on their vehicles, since many live more than 20 kilometres away from work, with difficult public transport connections. Only around four percent cycle to work.

According to the ADFC, decisive criteria for the “Bicycle-Friendly Employer” award include the number and quality of bike parking spaces, changing facilities, and the measures a company takes to motivate its employees to cycle. LAPP has 55 bike parking spaces at its headquarters in the SynergiePark, along with nine free charging stations, nine showers, and 56 lockers. Other offers include a discount on bike purchases and the use of a company-owned E-cargo bike. A bicycle repair station has also been added recently. “People who cycle to work are doing something positive for their health and for the climate, as well as avoiding traffic jams and the frustrating search for a parking place”, says Gudrun Zühlke, state chairperson of the ADFC Baden-Württemberg.

LAPP’s mobility concept also includes a transport authority company ticket worth 35 to 50 euros per month. The Lapp Kabel stop on the U12 tram line was introduced five years ago. For drivers, there also is a parking space management system and a parking space exchange, as well as 17 free charging points for employees with e-vehicles, and car-sharing models. Eventually only electric and hybrid vehicles will be available for business trips. In the future, Lapp also wants to promote alternative mobility offerings for its employees, such as e-pedal scooters and e-scooters.

A total of 33 companies in Baden-Württemberg have already been named “Bicycle-Friendly Employers”, and six of these have been awarded the EU Gold certificate. For now, LAPP has received the Silver certificate, but with additional offers to cyclists, the company aims to achieve gold status in two years at the latest.