67 employers and 4,451 employees cycled 58,564 rides during Bike for Life from 1 to 31 October 2023 for the good cause: A Bike for All.  Bike for Life was possible thanks to Bosch eBike Systems, the well-known manufacturer of drives for e-bikes. Bike for Life raised 58,367 euros. The proceeds will go to cycling projects by volunteers who help vulnerable people get on their bikes in their city or community. We spoke to Vineeta Diels, Marketing Communication Manager at Bosch eBike Systems Benelux, about the campaign and how e-bikes make a difference.

Why do you think Bike for Life is a valuable campaign?
Vineeta Diels: "With Bike for Life, we encourage people to experience what it is like to take the bike for longer periods of time. Cycling to work is not only healthy, better for the environment and your wallet, it also has a positive effect on your mental health. When you cycle, you produce happiness hormones. These give you a boost. So you go to work motivated and you are extra productive. We hope that all participants will keep cycling even after Bike for Life. By joining Bike for Life, you also help people who experience transport poverty. Bike for Life collects money to provide them with a bicycle, so they can fully participate in society. For example, jobseekers can start applying for jobs thanks to a bicycle."

Bike for Life encourages people who do not cycle very often to join in.  How can an e-bike motivate them to ride along?
Vineeta Diels: "Often heard reasons for why people choose the car for their commute are that they find cycling too heavy or find that the trip takes too long. E-bikes offer a solution. The continuous support of the electric motor while pedalling ensures that your ride is never too heavy. Indeed, long distances, slopes or wind are no longer a problem. Moreover, with an e-bike you can travel up to 25 km/h, with a speed pedelec even up to 45 km/h, allowing you to get to your destination quickly and smoothly. Especially if you include the time you save bypassing traffic jams! Systems like our e-bike ABS and walking assistance ensure an extra safe, smooth and comfortable journey."

Bike for Life participants cycled to work. When is it interesting to consider switching to an e-bike or speedpedelec for your commute?
Vineeta Diels: "Traffic jams increased rapidly again after corona. Coupled with increased petrol costs, the (electric) bicycle has become the mode of transport for commuting for many people. An e-bike is an investment you can quickly repay. The average commuting distance by e-bike in Belgium is 20 km. If you include the cycling allowance, to which every employee is entitled since 1 May 2023, and the car costs you save, you can earn back your e-bike after just one year. Even with the car costs excluded, you will have earned back your e-bike after just over two years."

Proceeds from Bike for Life go to local projects run by volunteers who help people get on with cycling. How can e-bikes contribute to the shift to a more climate-friendly mobility?
Vineeta Diels: "In society, sustainable is the new normal. E-bikes enable a healthy, sustainable and contemporary form of mobility. Cycling on an e-bike also saves high petrol costs. The electric motor requires a lot less energy than what a typical car consumes in fuel. An e-bike has an average emission of 2 to 5 grams of CO2 per kilometre, a car more than 100 grams - a huge difference for the planet and our environment. E-bikes are therefore essential in the shift to sustainable mobility."