Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Eindhoven
DAF Trucks N.V.

DAF Trucks Vlaanderen named "Happiest Place to Bike"

Minister Lydia Peeters hands over the certificate

DAF Trucks Vlaanderen has been crowned "The Happiest Place to Bike". The Flemish Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Lydia Peeters, handed over a certificate proclaiming this fact to the cab and axle factory in Westerlo today. "When it comes to encouraging cycling, DAF has taken a pioneering role", says the minister.

DAF-Trucks-Vlaanderen-uitgeroepen-tot-Happiest-Place-to-Bike — DAF Trucks Vlaanderen has been crowned "The Happiest Place to Bike" by Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Lydia Peeters. From left to right: Daisy Romih (Commercial Director Cylis), Claire Meuws (HR Director of DAF Trucks Vlaanderen) and the Flemish Minister for Mobility, Lydia Peeters.

"Companies such as DAF Trucks encourage their employees to leave the car at home", the minister notes. Peeters continues, "This promotion of cycling is reflected by DAF being named as 'The Happiest Place to Bike'. We want to increase the bicycle's share of functional journeys in Flanders to 20% by 2025 at the latest. We can certainly still see a lot of opportunities as far as commuting is concerned, which is why we're investing in safe and convenient cycle paths and bicycle routes. This will help us reduce the traffic on our roads while also reducing CO₂ emissions."

Encouragement

DAF Trucks Vlaanderen actively encourages employees to get to work by bike. "That's healthy for the body, the mind and of course the environment," says Claire Meuws, HR Director of the Flemish DAF factory. The factory, which was recently expanded with brand-new facilities for the production of a whole new generation of trucks, produces around 250 cabs and axle sets every day.

"Great boost"

Out of nearly 3,000 employees, about 1,000 participate in the bicycle lease scheme. They benefit from attractive tax benefits, receive a bicycle allowance from DAF and can purchase a bicycle at very reduced prices.

Meuws adds, "In addition, electric bicycles can be charged in our large bicycle shed. So even if you live a little further away, you can still cycle to DAF. The title of 'Happiest Place to Bike' is a great boost for the organisation and for my cycling colleagues. I hope that this award serves as an inspiration for those colleagues who do not yet cycle to work!"

Bicycle-friendly policy

Another indication of the ambition of DAF Trucks Vlaanderen is that it is also the main sponsor of I Cycle to Work Day. This initiative, which is organised by Cyclis Bike Lease, is actively supported by the Flemish government. Roel Gielen from Cyclis Bike Lease says, "We want to encourage cycle usage. That is why we organise the national I Cycle to Work Day annually — to allow as many people as possible to cycle to work at least once. With initiatives like this one, Cyclis wants to encourage companies to adopt a bike-friendly policy."