'There are 1001 reasons not to cycle'

Bart van Dijk is Dealer Sales Manager at DAF Trucks. His employer participated in the e-bike trial campaign of Brainport Bereikbaar and Bart tried a speed pedelec. For 21 kilometers one way a great means of transport, he experienced.

“By the way, I had no idea that there was such a beautiful route here!”

With an outside service function, a car is really necessary for Bart on some days. Still, he wanted to participate in the trial and experience what it is like to cycle to work for a week. “I think a lot of people are toying with the idea of cycling to work. And especially if they live fairly close by. But yes, there are 1001 reasons not to do it.” And that is a shame, Bart also found. Because there are more than enough advantages.

“I really enjoyed doing some exercise after work. I do sports now and then, but on workdays you often go from office chair to car seat and then home where you sit on the couch in the evening. So doing some nice 35 minutes of exercise was really nice. I also discovered that there is a beautiful route from where I live to work. No delays, only 2 traffic lights and you cycle straight through the Dommeldal in beautiful surroundings.”

Another advantage for Bart was the so-called 'switching off'. "Do you know what it is? When I go by car, I can be reached while driving. You leave work, but sometimes you're still on the phone in the driveway at home. Because I went with the speed pedelec, I couldn't keep that phone with me. So you really stop working at your workplace and come home differently and with an empty head.

After a week of trying, there is now that dilemma: completing the ride on an e-bike takes Bart more time, but is a serious option. On the other hand, a speed pedelec is perfect, but is also an expensive purchase. Especially because he regularly really needs that car.

Whatever decision he makes, DAF is ready for more cyclists. “We have very good facilities for cyclists. There is a lot of attention for vitality and DAF does everything it can to keep employees fit. We have a nice bicycle shed, a bicycle scheme and there are quite a few colleagues who come by bike.”

It is questionable whether Bart will become part of that group on a structural basis, but it is certain that the car will be exchanged for a bicycle more often.