Detailed description (English): The first step is often the hardest. May it be motivation or finding the best route from your home to your work. However, active commuting like cycling to work has proven to increase physical and mental health.
We as IKEA Austria have therefore started the initiative of PEDALSAMLA, where we established 3 main routes along which co-workers can join at any point and ride their bikes to work together as a group. Those who were commuting by bike regularly already and knew the best routes to take, acted as guides and helped others to take their first bike-commuting steps.
To make sure that safety measures were taken we informed co-workers who were interested with useful tips on high-visibility clothing, protective helmets and made sure that each group had a first-aid-instructed guide.
Useful tips in terms of what to consider when first commuting by bike were shared beforehand by the "regulars".
With over 40 participants at our first location in Vösendorf, Lower Austria, the kick-off event was a full success and triggered at least 10 new co-workers to ride their bikes to work at least once a week. Following the kick-off, role-model portraits of colleagues who ride their bikes regularly were published via internal communication channels to keep interest and motivation high.
Target group(s): In our case our target group was our co-workers at the IKEA Vösendorf location. The first event in April 2024 was the first of a series that is aimed to be rolled out to ideally all other 9 locations of IKEA in Austria.
Objectives: Encourage co-workers to try commuting to work by bike in order to boost health, active mobility and set actions against GHG-emissions through commuting.
Austria