The approximately 170 employees of the Planegger municipal administration will in future have a privilege that not only benefits them, but is also intended to strengthen the reputation of the Planegg municipality as an environmentally friendly municipality: they will soon be able to use so-called “job bikes”, i.e. bicycles that they have obtained through their employer can lease desired accessories.
A special leasing agreement, which has been part of the collective agreement for municipal employees for a year, offers the opportunity to do this. In the Würmtal, the municipality of Neuried has so far offered a similar service. The special thing about the contracts: it is not the user who is the lessee, but the municipality. She leaves the bicycle to her employees for private and business use. The users only have to pay the costs of leasing and insurance, both of which are deducted from the gross salary. The municipality benefits from the resulting reduction in the tax burden and in this way saves part of the social security contributions. The maximum amount for a bicycle including special equipment is 7000 euros, the leasing period is up to 36 months.
The initiative came from employees, reports the new mobility officer Martina Argyrakis at the most recent meeting of the municipal council, in which the new service was decided. According to their information, 18 have already submitted a corresponding application. It is a sign of strength in the “tough struggle for skilled workers,” said Argyrakis. And of course they also believe that the environment will be strengthened, “because we hope that one or the other car trip will be eliminated.” However, it will still be a few months before that happens. The municipality first advertises the service bike leasing, then the municipal council has to deal with the topic again.