Staff in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands and the U.S. started their cycling campaign on April 11th. 50 cents per kilometre cycled in June/July went to a good cause, and the monthly cyclists’ breakfasts grew with the CO2 saved.
This is the third year the engineering software company has sponsored a cycling for charity campaign. Gudrun Tebart of CAD Schroer Germany explains, “But this year we extended the campaign from one month to six. We encouraged staff to cycle to work and record the distance they travelled on two wheels, whether they were able to cycle all the way, or from a Park & Ride. We also organised after-work cycle rides to rack up additional km for charity. We wanted to make sure everyone could take part, so those who couldn’t cycle at all earned charity km for making food to share at our monthly breakfasts.” CAD Schroer donated 50 cents for every km cycled by staff in June and July.
For the Planet
By extending its support for a two-wheeled commute to work to half a year, CAD Schroer wanted to make a real, positive environmental impact. “We cycled 22,393 km in total, which equates to 3,117 kg of carbon saved by not driving. We also saved around € 8,061 in motoring costs” Gudrun continues. “Online calculators* also tell us that we saved around €672 in costs incurred by the environmental damage caused by an average vehicle, and another €3,809 in costs incurred through resulting traffic jams and accidents in our area. You can see how quickly such figures add up over a six-month period.”
Encouraging Long-term Behavioural Change
Different people are motivated by different things. By expanding the sponsored cycling season, as well as offering company charity contributions and encouraging social gatherings, CAD Schroer hoped to engage most of its staff members. “We’re really pleased with this brilliant result, and that our staff members enjoyed the campaign so much. Everyone took part with great enthusiam, and did their bit in whichever way they could,” says Managing Director Michael Schroer.
*Calculated using the CO2 calculator available at: http://www.adfc-bw.de/radzurarbeit/radzurarbeit-mitmachen/einspar-rechner/
Gudrun Tebart agrees, “It’s amazing how quickly cycling becomes a positive routine. It’s well worth the effort - every time you cycle to work, you get fitter, you save money, and you help the environment. For six months most of our colleagues simply left their car at home, and enjoyed it tremendously.”
