At KARL HUGO, sustainability is not an abstract goal. It is part of our everyday work. This is reflected not only in our production, our energy approach and our environmental management, but also in something very concrete: the way our staff commute to work.
For several years now, KARL HUGO has offered its employees the opportunity to lease a bicycle or e-bike through a bike leasing scheme. What may appear to be just another additional employee benefit is, in practice, a clear example of how we take responsibility: for our employees, for the environment and for the long-term future of our company.Today, 25% of our staff already make use of the bike leasing offer - and the number continues to grow!
A mobility solution with real added value
Through our partner o2o, our employees can lease a bicycle or e-bike and use it both for commuting and in their private lives. The model is particularly attractive in Belgium thanks to the bicycle allowance, the so-called “indemnité vélo”.Employees who commute by bike receive an allowance for every cycled kilometer. Both the outward and return journeys are taken into account. The current allowance is 0.37 euros per kilometer.
When used regularly, this creates a tangible financial benefit. Employees who cycle to work once or twice a week can, depending on the distance, already offset a large part of the leasing costs. In many cases, the bicycle allowance will cover the cost of the bike just by riding!
Bike leasing is thus not only sustainable, but also economically attractive.
A benefit that continues beyond the leasing period
The model remains attractive even at the end of the 36-months leasing period. Our employees have the option to purchase the bike for 16% of its original value. If the bike’s market value is still higher at that point, which is often the case, this creates an additional financial advantage.At KARL HUGO, bike leasing is thus much more than a traditional employee benefit. It is an offer that brings together mobility, health and financial value in a meaningful way.
An ideal location for sustainable commuting
The KARL HUGO site offers ideal conditions for sustainable mobility. Our company premises are located directly next to the RAVeL network, providing an attractive cycling route that makes commuting by bike or e-bike particularly practical and safe.Another important factor is that all our employees live within a maximum distance of 40 kilometers from the company. With an e-bike, commuting by bicycle becomes a realistic alternative to the car for many of them.
To make this alternative work in everyday life, KARL HUGO has also invested in the right infrastructure. Our secure bicycle area provides space for bicycles and e-bikes, with charging facilities available on site. This allows our employees to safely park their bikes during the working day and charge them when needed.
Sustainable mobility is therefore not just encouraged — it is actively made possible.
Supporting health, the environment and employer attractiveness
Fewer car journeys mean fewer mobility-related emissions. At the same time, regular cycling supports physical health, contributes to mental well-being and can make the daily commute more relaxed and enjoyable.This combination is exactly what matters to us. Sustainability should not remain separate from everyday life. It should create real value where it matters most: in people’s daily routines.
Bike leasing is therefore fully aligned with our understanding of a forward-looking employer. We want to create conditions that support our employees in the long term — professionally, personally and in their everyday working environment.
Sustainability as part of a modern industry
As a mechanical engineering company with an international outlook and strong regional roots, KARL HUGO carries responsibility on several levels.For our customers and partners, this means reliable quality, technological expertise and long-term thinking.
For our employees, it means a working environment that combines safety, development and quality of life.
Bike leasing is one concrete element of this approach. Together with our direct connection to the RAVeL network, our dedicated bicycle area and our partnership with o2o, we create the conditions for sustainable mobility to become simple, attractive and practical in everyday working life.
The fact that 25% of our staff already use the offer shows that the need is there. It also shows that sustainability works best when it is practical, accessible and implemented consistently.
Bike leasing at KARL HUGO is therefore more than a mobility solution. It is a sign of how we shape the future of our company: responsible, with a clear focus on our employees and with a strong commitment to sustainable development.
Find out more about our approach, our actions and our goals in our 2025 sustainability report.
