Geevers Auto Parts on the bike: for vitality, accessibility and a good cause

At Geevers Auto Parts, they're not only experts on cars, they also have a keen eye for cycling. The largest auto parts supplier in the Benelux organized a Cycling Challenge in May. Their colleagues cycled a whopping 9,197 kilometers, raising €2,500 for Make-A-Wish Netherlands. The challenge is part of Geevers' incentive package to get more employees cycling.

Geevers Auto Parts has a solution for every car damage problem. Its 230 colleagues are committed to fulfilling its customer promise every day: providing everything needed to repair car damage. "Our goal is for our customers to be able to do their work well," says HR advisor Sanne Seijsener. "That's only possible if we look ahead, including to our surroundings. Roads are getting busier, parking is scarce, and De Run is being renovated. We saw cycling as a solution for both improved accessibility and increased vitality."

From mobility scan to lease plan

Two years ago, Sanne contacted Brainport Bereikbaar. Sanne: "The mobility broker initially suggested a mobility scan. This revealed, among other things, how many colleagues could easily cycle to work. To encourage this, we launched a leasing plan. This makes a good bicycle or e-bike accessible to everyone: a great employee benefit. Ten colleagues immediately signed up, and more followed."

Cycling Challenge as an extra boost

The Cycling Challenge aligns perfectly with this. Communications Advisor Juultje Versmissen: "We thought it was a great idea to showcase our bicycle lease plan and the benefits of cycling. It also aligns well with our employer branding." Communications Advisor Mana Verblackt adds: "More cycling requires behavioral change. The mobility scan allowed us to show colleagues that cycling is a great option for them. The Challenge lets people experience it."

Smart timing

May was a logical month for the Challenge. Sanne: "The weather is better, and the challenge fit well with our annual special car rally for customers. Since last year, it's also included an 80-kilometer bike rally." Mana: "We thought it would be fun to combine the Bike Challenge with it: the kilometers ridden by colleagues during the rally counted."

Management support

The management fully supported the Challenge. Juultje: "They allocated the budget to the charity, a keychain for the participants, and great prizes for the top three cyclists." The implementation was simple, says Mana. "Brainport Bereikbaar offers a lot: the cycling app for logging the kilometers and all kinds of communication tools. We created flyers, hung up posters, and really encouraged the competition." Juultje: "We set the collective cycling goal at 3,000 kilometers, and it turned out to be more than three times that amount. Almost 30 people participated, including ourselves, of course!"

Brainport Bereikbaar helps you on your way

The Cycling Challenge will likely return next year. Juultje: "The competitive element resonates with many people. At the same time, we still face a challenge. We're finding it harder to reach our colleagues in the warehouse and transport. Fortunately, we can always consult with Barbara." Mana: "She responded quickly, contributed ideas, and helped us get started – both literally and figuratively."