More and more companies these days are choosing bicycles as a sustainable means of transportation for their employees. Whether for commuting or business trips, proper company bicycle training is therefore indispensable. Because employees who can handle their company bicycle safely not only increase their own safety, but also reduce the risk of accidents and downtime. In this blog you will therefore discover all about the most important training aspects for business cycling.
Why is company bike training important for employees?
This is because a company bicycle training program provides employees with the knowledge and skills they need to cycle safely in traffic. This is especially important because business cycling often takes place during busy rush hour, on unfamiliar routes and sometimes under time pressure. Moreover, many employees have not cycled intensively for years or are unfamiliar with modern electric bicycles.
The training therefore focuses on several aspects of safe cycling. First, employees learn to check their bikes properly before leaving. For example, tire pressure, braking and lighting are items that should be checked daily. Second, riding correctly in traffic is covered. For example, cyclists learn to anticipate other road users, make clear gestures and assume their position on the road.
Recognizing dangerous situations is also central to a company bicycle training course. Because blind spots in trucks, slippery roads in rain and heavy traffic at intersections require specific techniques. So by practicing these situations in a safe environment, employees feel more confident in real traffic.
What basic skills will you learn during company bike training?
While the fundamentals of cycling are the same for everyone, in business contexts additional challenges are added. Employees therefore first learn the basics of balance, steering and braking. Although this sounds simple, it requires regular practice, especially for people who have not cycled for a long time.
Traffic insight, moreover, is another important part of the training. Because workers practice reading traffic situations and making the right choices. For example: when should you give way? How do you behave in a bike lane? What do you do in an accident? So these questions are all addressed.
Maneuvering in urban areas also requires specific techniques. These include taking the right position in heavy traffic, making eye contact with motorists and anticipating danger in time. Training these skills thus makes employees more confident and safe on the road.
Communication in traffic
In fact, good communication with other road users is an underrated part of safe cycling. Hand gestures, eye contact and predictable driving behavior thus help prevent accidents. During company bicycle training, employees also learn when and how to use these communication techniques. This increases their visibility and prevents misunderstandings with other road users.
How do you prepare employees for electric bikes?
In fact, electric bikes require customized company bike training. Because the support of the motor causes higher speeds and a different braking behavior than with regular bikes. Employees must therefore learn to cope with this extra power and weight.
Moreover, getting used to electric assistance is a gradual process. This is because the motor reacts to the pedals being pressed, which can cause sudden acceleration. So this takes practice, especially when accelerating at traffic lights or in heavy traffic. The sudden loss of support when the battery is flat can also be surprising. Good electric fatbikes such as the UrbanX may have a range of 80-100 km, but workers therefore learn about battery management during training.
The different assistance levels also each have their function. For in headwind or on slopes, the highest setting provides powerful assistance, while in heavy traffic a lower setting gives more control. Employees therefore practice switching between these settings during training so that they always have the right support.
Braking behavior in e-bikes
In fact, the extra weight of electric bikes significantly affects the braking distance. Modern e-bikes such as the CityX with Tektro hydraulic brakes may offer powerful stopping power, but workers must therefore learn to use it correctly. Training therefore includes emergency braking exercises on different surfaces and speeds. Safe parking of the heavier bicycle is also additionally covered.
Why do cargo bike drivers need special training?
Cargo bikes such as the CargoX namely, have a totally different handling than regular bikes. Because the longer wheelbase, the weight of the load and the different sightlines make special company bicycle training therefore necessary. Drivers must therefore learn to deal with these unique characteristics.
The sight lines also change because of the bin in front. This is because dead spots are created and the load can limit side visibility. Training therefore helps drivers develop compensatory techniques, such as looking over their shoulders more often and using extra mirrors. Estimating the width of the bike also requires practice, moreover.
Loading is another critical issue in cargo bike use. Because an unbalanced load makes steering unpredictable and dangerous. Workers therefore learn during training how to efficiently pack the cargo box and secure the load. Moreover, the maximum load capacity of 150 kg should never be exceeded. Distributing weight across the bucket is thus also covered.
Parking with a cargo bike
In fact, parking a cargo bike requires more space and planning than a regular bike. Therefore, the length of 260 cm and width of 70 cm mean that not all bicycle parking spots are suitable. Training therefore includes finding suitable parking spots and putting the bike away safely. Security features such as PIN code start interruption and GPS tracking are also explained in addition.
What traffic situations require extra attention from corporate cyclists?
In fact, certain traffic situations are especially challenging for business cyclists. These are therefore extensively covered in a good company bicycle training. For example, traffic circles, large intersections and mixing with freight traffic are times when extra alertness is therefore needed.
In addition, at traffic circles, cyclists must clearly assume their positions and indicate in a timely manner which exit they are taking. According to the ANWB guidelines for safe cycling on traffic circles making eye contact with motorists is therefore important. Workers further learn not to blindly rely on right of way and to always have an escape route in mind.
Safety in truck traffic
In fact, freight traffic poses a particular risk due to the large blind spots. Therefore, the company bicycle training pays much attention to this danger. Because employees learn never to ride next to a truck at traffic lights or in traffic jams. Moreover, waiting behind trucks until they have moved away is a life-saving habit that is emphasized.
The Bicycle Association emphasizes, in fact, that truck drivers often do not have a view of cyclists directly beside their vehicle. Thus, by understanding this and acting accordingly, workers significantly reduce the risk of serious accidents.
How do you respond to weather conditions during business cycling?
In fact, weather conditions greatly affect the safety of business cycling. A company bicycle training course therefore prepares employees for cycling in rain, wind and slippery conditions. Because these conditions require adjusted driving behavior and sometimes the decision not to cycle.
For example, rain makes roads slippery and reduces visibility for both cyclists and other road users. Workers therefore learn to increase braking distance and proceed more cautiously through turns. Wearing visible, waterproof clothing is also additionally covered. While modern electric bicycles are weatherproof, extra caution is still required.
Wind can further affect a bicycle's course, especially on cargo bikes with their large surface area. Training therefore includes techniques for cycling in strong winds, such as holding the handlebars more firmly and anticipating gusts of wind when passing buildings or trucks.
Winter conditions
In winter, additional challenges are added. Because slipperiness due to ice or snow requires adjusted tire pressure and driving style. Employees therefore learn when it is better to choose alternative transportation. Bicycle maintenance in winter conditions, such as keeping the low-maintenance belt drive, will be discussed further.
What are the benefits of company bike training for employers?
In fact, investing in company bicycle training provides employers with several benefits. First, it reduces the number of accidents and the associated costs. Because employees who can cycle safely drop out less due to injuries and also have less stress in traffic.
Proper training also further extends the life of company bicycles. After all, employees who know how to maintain and properly use their bikes cause less damage. This therefore saves costs on repairs and replacement. Modern bicycles with Gates CDX belt drive may already be low-maintenance, but proper use extends the lifespan even more.
Companies that additionally invest in company bicycle training show commitment to their employees. Therefore, this increases employee satisfaction and contributes to a positive image. Employees further feel valued and safer, which strengthens the bond with the company.
Legal aspects
In fact, employers have a duty of care for their employees, including while commuting. Thorough company bicycle training therefore helps fulfill this duty of care and can be important in liability issues. Demonstrating proper training and education is also legally valuable should an accident nonetheless occur.
How often should company bicycle training be repeated?
While one-time company bicycle training is a good start, regular refresher training is therefore important. After all, experts recommend a thorough refresher course after 2-3 years. This also ensures that employees stay up-to-date with traffic rules and new techniques.
Further additional training is required for significant changes. Consider, for example, the change from a regular bicycle to an electric bicycle or cargo bike. Moreover, individual in-service training can also be useful in the case of incidents or near misses. This thus helps employees learn from the experience and avoid mistakes in the future.
Therefore, many companies organize short safety sessions of about 1 hour each year. These sessions also discuss current traffic situations, address common mistakes and refresh knowledge. This low-threshold approach thus keeps safety on the agenda without costing too much time.
Practical organization of company bicycle training
In fact, organizing a good corporate cycling training program requires planning. Employers can therefore choose from several options, from on-site group training to individual sessions. The choice also depends on the size of the company, the type of bikes and the experience level of employees.
Group training, while cost-effective, promotes mutual learning. After all, workers can share experiences and give each other tips. However, for specialized bikes such as cargo bikes, a smaller group or individual training is often recommended. This is because it gives the trainer more time to give personal attention.
The duration of a company bike training further varies from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the bike type and level of the participants. For regular bikes, 2-3 hours of training is often sufficient. For electric bikes and cargo bikes, therefore, 4-6 hours is recommended. This also gives enough time to cover all aspects thoroughly and practice liberally.
Cost and investment
Indeed, the cost of corporate bike training varies between €75 and €150 per person for standard training. Group training sessions are also often more economical per person. This investment therefore quickly pays for itself through fewer accidents, lower absenteeism costs and longer life expectancy of the bikes. So see it as prevention: after all, the cost of one workplace accident is many times higher than the investment in training.
The future of business cycling and training
Moreover, the popularity of business cycling is only increasing. Because more and more companies are seeing the benefits of sustainable mobility and healthy employees. This trend therefore means that company bicycle training is becoming an increasingly important part of personnel policy.
Technological developments also bring with them new training needs. After all, smart bikes with GPS, automatic shifting and integrated safety features require up-to-date knowledge. Training courses must therefore grow along with these developments in order to prepare employees optimally.
Moreover, the focus on safety and prevention will continue to increase. Indeed, employers are investing not only in training, but also in high-quality bicycles that promote safety. Because bikes with powerful lighting, reliable brakes and clear signaling contribute to safe business cycling. At STOER Bikes, we therefore combine these safety features in all our models, from the agile CityX to the powerful CargoX cargo bike.
Conclusion: invest in safe company bike training
So proper company bicycle training is not only wise but necessary. Because employees who can handle their company bicycle safely are more confident, healthier and more productive. Moreover, whether they are regular bikes, electric models or cargo bikes, each situation requires specific knowledge and skills.
The investment in company bike training further pays for itself quickly through fewer accidents, lower absenteeism and longer life of the bikes. Employers therefore show their duty of care and commitment to their employees. Regular refreshers and additional training on new bike types also keep knowledge up to date.
So at STOER Bikes, we understand the importance of safe business cycling. This is why we not only supply high-quality electric bicycles and cargo bikes, but also support companies in implementing sustainable cycling solutions. Because good company bicycle training is the basis for successful and safe business cycling.