The impact of bike leasing on your pension and social rights is minimal.
With a gross salary exchange, your gross income drops slightly, but only for the portion swapped for the bike. You continue contributing to your pension and social rights based on your adjusted salary. In practice, the effect is barely noticeable — while the tax savings are significant.
In short: you give up a small part of your gross salary but gain comfort, wellbeing, and fiscal advantage in return.
With a gross salary exchange, you swap part of your pre-tax salary for a leased bike. This means you pay less in taxes and social security, reducing your net monthly cost.
With a net salary exchange, you pay with post-tax money, making it simpler but less beneficial.
In short:
- Gross salary exchange = tax-efficient, lower net cost.
- Net salary exchange = straightforward, but more expensive.
With a gross salary exchange, you can save up to 50% compared to a private purchase.
The Joule calculator makes it easy to see your personal savings.
Simply enter your gross salary, lease price, and chosen bike — the tool automatically calculates your monthly net cost, factoring in tax exemptions, social security impact, and the included service package. You’ll instantly see how much you save compared to buying privately — often up to 40–50% less.
The calculator takes into account your salary profile, tax rate, and lease duration, giving you a realistic picture of your total benefit.
The employer contribution (around 27%) is used more efficiently in a bike lease. Normally, this amount goes to social security and doesn’t increase the employee’s total reward. In a lease, the contribution is added to the bike lease budget, meaning the employee gets a larger budget to finance their bike and service package — without any extra cost for the employer.
It turns a fixed payroll cost into a tangible and valuable benefit for your team.
Yes, definitely. Bike leasing and company cars can perfectly coexist within a single mobility plan. More and more employers offer both options, allowing employees to choose the most efficient, sustainable, or practical mode of transport for each trip.
An employee might use a car for long distances or client visits, and a bike for shorter commutes or city travel. This reduces parking pressure, fuel costs, and improves overall employee wellbeing.
Within a hybrid mobility strategy, Joule easily integrates bikes with other transport options such as public transport, shared cars, or pool vehicles. With the Joule Hub and a clear mobility policy, everything stays organized and hassle-free.
A leased bike is a valued employee benefit that boosts retention and attracts talent. It promotes wellbeing, team energy, and strengthens your employer brand.
Bike leasing reduces emissions, improves employee health, and encourages sustainable commuting. It supports the E and S pillars of ESG and fits into CSRD under sustainable mobility.
Yes, absolutely. Bike leasing fits perfectly within the pillars of the mobility budget and is officially recognized as a sustainable mobility measure. Employees can use (part of) their mobility budget to finance a leased bike — either as an alternative to a company car or as an extra commuting option.
For employers, it’s a smart way to combine sustainability and flexibility: employees choose how they travel (bike, public transport, car sharing …), while you maintain control and visibility over costs.
Bike leasing also contributes to your ESG and CSRD reporting under the Sustainable Mobility category, strengthening your organization’s sustainability strategy.
Very little. With Joule Hub, quotes, contracts, and billing are automated. We provide templates, communication kits, and info sessions — less admin, more efficiency. We got your back-office.
Yes, bike leasing is completely cost-neutral for employers — provided it’s set up correctly through a gross salary exchange, year-end bonus, incentive, or mobility budget. The employee funds (part of) the lease through their pay, while the employer’s contribution is reallocated within the lease budget.
This keeps the total payroll cost identical, while employees gain a tangible benefit — a bike with maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance included.
For the employer, it’s a zero-cost mobility upgrade that boosts sustainability, wellbeing, and employer branding.
With a gross salary exchange, the employee trades part of their salary for a lease package. In a cafeteria plan, they choose from different benefits. Both options offer tax optimization and transparent processes.
No. Unlike company cars, no CO₂ solidarity contribution applies to bikes. This makes leased bikes structurally more cost-efficient and immune to tax changes affecting car benefits.
No, there are no social security contributions on the benefit of a leased bike, as long as it’s used regularly for commuting. Make sure this is clearly stated in your policy. This keeps the bike more tax-efficient than a salary increase or cash bonus.
Yes, lease invoices are fully deductible as business expenses. This also applies to services such as maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance, as long as they’re part of the professional plan. It helps keep the total employer cost low and predictable.
The lease cost is 100% tax-deductible as a business expense, with no social security contributions and no CO₂ solidarity contribution. You can organize it cost-neutrally through a gross salary exchange or a cafeteria plan. The bike allowance also remains tax- and social security–exempt within legal limits. Together, this results in a strong TCO reduction and a clear message in your ESG and CSRD reports.
That depends on your tax rate, salary structure (e.g. gross salary exchange or bonus), lease term, and service package. On average, employees save tens of euros per month, plus extra savings on maintenance and insurance. The calculator gives you a personal simulation comparing lease vs. private purchase, and shows how the bike allowance further increases your benefit. That way, you can make an informed and transparent decision.
Yes, you can use your bike privately as much as you like, and it remains tax-free (as long as you use it regularly for commuting). That’s an important difference compared to other employee benefits. It makes a leased bike a full-fledged alternative for short private trips or errands. Check your insurance: in most cases, damage or theft is also covered for private use within Europe, but the exact coverage is specified in your contract.
No — the benefit of a company-leased bike is exempt from taxes and social security contributions, as long as you use the bike regularly for commuting. That makes it much more tax-efficient than an equivalent cash benefit.
Keep in mind: accessories or extras outside the lease package may follow different rules. When in doubt, check your company bike policy or with your payroll provider. You can see how this exemption increases your net savings in the Joule calculator.
You ride for a lower net cost thanks to exemptions from 'voordeel alle aard' and social security contributions. You can still combine your lease bike with your commuting allowance, and services like insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance are included. You’ll save time, skip traffic, and avoid parking stress. At the end of your lease, you can choose to buy the bike or start a new lease. It keeps you moving — without the big upfront cost or surprise repair bills. Bike leasing is often up to 40% cheaper and completely hassle-free compared to buying privately.
Bike leasing can be seamlessly integrated into existing plans. Employees simply choose to allocate part of their budget to a bike.
Bike leasing is a formula where the employer provides a bike for the employee. It can be budget-neutral via salary exchange or a mobility budget. Employees get a bike including insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance, while you as an employer benefit from tax advantages and administrative support.
Use this checklist:
- Bike and accessory details
- Ensure that the brand, model, color, and frame size are on the quote.
- State the catalog price for the bike and per accessory, including VAT.
- Prepare a quote excluding any discounts.
- Mandatory accessories:
- A lock with ART2 certification that allows the bike to be anchored to a fixed point.
- For example:
- A horseshoe lock with ART2 certification is not sufficient. A compatible insert lock must be provided.
- Other permitted accessories:
- Helmet
- Other: Bike bags, pedals, lighting - essentially anything that can be fixed to the bike.
- Not permitted:
- Textiles
- Water bottles
- GPS
- Delivery time for bike and accessories
- Bike dealer details:
- Contact person
- Address
- Website
- Contact details
At Joule, you can choose between two maintenance packages for leased bikes:
- Mobile: the Joule mechanic comes to the workplace or your home for delivery, maintenance and repairs
- Pick-up: You pick your bike at your favorite bike store and visit them for maintenance and repairs.
Key terms:
- The bicycle must be secured with an ART2 approved lock. We offer such a lock as standard in the lease package through Joule Mobiel.
- The bicycle must be fixed to a fixed anchor point in the public space (a shared bicycle parking area in an apartment building is also considered public space).
- Mandatory accessories for insurance, if you do not already have them:
- A lock with ART2 certification that allows the bike to be secured to a fixed anchor point.
- For example:
- A horseshoe lock with ART2 certification is not sufficient. A compatible insert lock must be provided.
- Other permitted accessories:
- Helmet
- Other: Bike bags, pedals, lighting - essentially anything that can be fixed to the bike.
- Not permitted:
- Textiles
- Water bottles
- GPS
In theory, you can order all types of bikes (unless the offer is limited by your employer). The main condition is that the bike cannot operate autonomously. In other words, you must always pedal to move the bike forward. For example, an electric scooter is not possible.
With a bike lease, you get value for your money. What is included in the package?
- A bike of your choice with optional accessories. At Joule, you can freely choose a bike from your local bike dealer or directly from Joule, with mobile service:
- Joule Local: choose a bike from your local bike dealer. Joule collaborates with nearly every local bike dealer. An overview can be found here!
- Joule Direct: if you want to enjoy a bike that is delivered, maintained, and repaired at your door, then choose a bike from the Joule Direct offer!
- A service voucher for maintenance and repair. You choose your budget for bike maintenance and repairs: Basic (€150/year), Standard (€200/year), Premium (€300/year), or Advanced (€400/year). Not sure about your choice? The employees of Joule are eager to help you!
- Comprehensive damage and theft insurance.
- A 24/7 breakdown assistance subscription
- duration
- detailed description of the bikes
- a commitment to take good care of the bike
- contents of the bike leasing package
- conditions of insurance and breakdown cover
- maintenance and repair conditions
- agreements around early termination
- Leasing a bike through your company is about 40% cheaper than buying a bike at no additional cost to the employer. You pay for a leased bike on gross wages, which means you end up paying less NSSO, employer contributions and taxes. Moreover, the cost is spread over a period of 12, 24, 36 or 48 months.
- When you lease a bike from Joule, you also hop on your bike carefree. Your bike package includes annual maintenance, damage and theft insurance, and a roadside assistance subscription. You also choose how you want your bike repaired: at home or at a bike store nearby.
Joule NV – BE0689.591.113, Rooigemlaan 455, 9000 Ghent
All quotes can be sent to dealer@joule.be.
If you have a balance remaining on your service budget at the end of your lease:
- You can use this to put your bike in order and/or buy spare parts, related to maintenance or repairs on your bike
- You can request additional maintenance or repair
Do you have a negative balance at the end of your contract? Then you pay the outstanding balance directly to Joule or through your employer.
If you still have a balance on your service budget at the end of your lease:
- You can use this to put your bike in order and/or buy spare parts, related to maintenance or repairs on your bike
- You can request additional maintenance or repair
Do you have a negative balance at the end of your contract? Then you pay the outstanding balance directly to Joule or through your employer.
In case of theft, it is important to file a police report. Always include the following information in your report:
- The Joule ID (which can be found in the customer area)
- Brand and type of bicycle
- The location where your bike was stolen
- How your bike is closed
- Any information on camera footage or other evidence
Send an email to operations@joule.be and we will order a new bike key for you. The cost of the extra key will go from your service voucher. You always need two keys as proof for insurance in case of theft.
Indien de medewerker regelmatig met de fiets naar het werk komt, is fietsleasing vrijgesteld van RSZ-bijdragen en belasting voor zowel werkgever als medewerker.
Bike leasing is 100% tax-deductible and exempt from social security contributions. VAT is not recoverable, but it doesn’t create an extra cost since it’s included in the package.
As an employer, you are completely free to determine what portion of the cost of the bike lease you will contribute:
- Full or partial payment: the employer pays (part of) the amount for the bicycle lease.
- Cost-neutral for the employer: the bicycle lease is passed on to the employee through a deduction from net pay or through salary.
Indien de werknemer regelmatig met de fiets naar het werk komt, is de kost van de fietsleasing vrijgesteld van RSZ-bijdragen en belasting. Voor de werkgever worden er geen werkgeversbijdragen toegevoegd aan het voordeel fietsleasing. Indien de fiets als kost wordt geboekt, is deze bovendien 100% aftrekbaar voor de berekening van de vennootschapsbelasting. Consulteer jouw sociaal secretariaat en/of fiscaal adviseur voor meer informatie.
We list the main benefits briefly:
- Financial: A company bike is 40% cheaper than buying a bike as an individual. As a freelancer or employer, a bike is 100% tax-deductible. As an employee, you do not pay withholding tax (no VAA or benefit in kind) and no social security contributions, and you also get a bike allowance on top.
- Functional: Say goodbye to traffic jams and stress! With an (electric) bike, you save time and can efficiently cover large distances to work.
- Healthy: Regularly biking to work is good for your health.
- Ecological: Choosing a company bike helps reduce CO2 emissions. You are not only making yourself but also the world healthier.
Have a breakdown on the road? No problem!
You can call the breakdown service and they will come and depanel you on the spot. You can call the breakdown service twice a year throughout Europe. The main condition is that your location is more than 1 kilometer from your domicile. Joule works with IMA for this purpose.
The damage and theft insurance covers you in case of damage due to vandalism, falls, collisions, and attempts at or actual theft. Upon approval of the insurance file, a deductible of €25 is usually charged.
The lease includes the bike, a service voucher for maintenance and repairs, comprehensive damage and theft insurance, and a support subscription.
A service budget is a budget that can be used for maintenance and repairs. You can choose which service budget you want with your bike. The service budget is included in your leasing price and thus enjoys the same fiscal and parafiscal benefits as the rest of your bike lease.
A service budget is not refundable after the end of the lease. However, you can use the remaining balance for additional maintenance and repairs or for purchasing bike accessories.
- If you have not used up your service budget by the end of the first (or subsequent) year of your lease contract, this remaining budget will be added to the service budget for the following year.
- If the lease is terminated early, any excess of the already accumulated budget will be charged separately.
With bike leasing, you rent the bike as an employer or freelancer. Joule remains the owner of your bike. With a purchase, on the other hand, you are the full owner of the bike.
These are interventions exclusive to annual maintenance or an insurance file following damage or theft. For example, for a flat tire or a loose fender.
- Mobile: you are entitled to recovery interventions for your chosen recovery credit.
- Pick-Up: you are entitled to recovery interventions for your chosen recovery credit.
If you have a breakdown on the road (even a flat tire) you can call for roadside assistance. This also applies in case of (attempted) theft or an accident . You benefit from assistance:
- throughout Europe (see general terms and conditions for insured countries);
- to twice a year;
- at least 1 kilometer from your home address.
With damage and theft insurance you are covered in case of damage due to vandalism, a fall, a collision, and (attempted) theft. If the insurance file is approved, only an insurance excess will be charged. Check whether you have an AG Insurance or AEDES package.
Annual maintenance, comprehensive damage and theft insurance, a breakdown service subscription and a repair service.
A belt drive is a drive in which the chain is replaced by a plastic belt. The belt runs over two sprockets and is made of a strong stretch-resistant carbon fiber.
Joule is a cycling partner for companies, independent workers and governments. Our mission is to get as many people as possible on their bikes. We take charge of the entire process of your bike plan, from concept to maintenance. We distribute more than 30 brands and have our own mechanics who deliver, maintain and repair the bikes. Minimum effort for maximum biking fun!
With bicycle leasing, you rent the bicycle. Joule remains the owner of your bike. With a purchase, on the other hand, you fully own the bike.
You pay for your maintenance or repair through your service voucher. The amount deducted from your service voucher is determined by the partner:
- Joule Local: the cost of maintenance and repair are according to your bike dealer's rates.
- Joule Mobile: the call-out cost, the cost of maintenance and repair. You can find that cost in the customer area.
Annual maintenance of a bicycle will result in fewer problems, and therefore fewer repairs. An annual maintenance within your bike lease is necessary for every bike!
During a maintenance, services are performed with the goal of preventing wear and tear and repairs:
- checking and repairing lighting;
- lubricating the chain;
- tire pressure check;
- retightening of all bolts;
- adjusting gears;
- check headstock play;
- software update;
- adjusting brakes and replacing brake pads;
Typically, you have a 5-year warranty on the frame and a 2-year warranty on the electrical components such as the battery and the motor of the bike. With Joule, you can extend the warranty of your electrical components by one year as an option in your bike leasing contract.
The standard duration is 36 months. With Joule, you also have the opportunity to enter into a bike lease for 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. You choose the duration as an employer or as a freelancer.
At the end of the lease period, Joule will pick up the bicycle. Optionally, the cyclist can purchase the bike at market price.
Battery range depends on three crucial elements:
- Bike battery capacity: 400Wh, 500Wh, 630Wh or 1000Wh.
- Usage of battery: do you ride in eco or turbo mode?
- The weather conditions: in colder weather, the battery will not last as long.
Make sure to always put the battery inside when freezing!
7 tips for maintaining your electric bike's battery
Joule schedules deliveries, maintenance and repairs. You can reach us offline or online.
In this phase, we try to get everyone excited. Joule's Customer Success Managers work on the bike file and organize activities to support the cycling experience:
- info session live or via webinar;
- personal interview with employees;
- testing days at the office;
- interactive cycling guide;
- optional training speed pedelec;
- possibility of personalization of the bikes and accessories.
In the start-up phase, we work with the organization to establish the fundamentals of your cycling plan. In this phase, we discuss:
- payroll processing;
- timing;
- assortment;
- maintenance package;
- bicycle policy.
A bike policy (or bike regulations) is a document that establishes the rights and obligations of employer and employees with respect to bicycles. The approval of a bike policy is usually done the same way as the employment regulations. Therefore, the signature of individual employees is not required.
Setting up bike policies in bike leasing: 7 practical tips
Very quickly! The delivery time depends a bit on where you chose your bike:
- Through Joule Local, the delivery time will depend on the information you get from your local dealer.
- Through Joule Mobile, the bike will be delivered between 4-6 weeks if it is in stock.
Still in need of service after purchasing your bike lease? No problem:
- For bikes through the Joule Local package, just stop by your bike dealer.
- For cycling through the Joule Mobile package, please contact us:
- E-mail: operations@joule.be
- Phone: 050/89.26.89
At the end of the lease term, you have two options:
- Option 1: Joule comes to pick up the bike: through one of our partners (Decathlon, E-Bis, Upway or Lucien) we give the bike a second life and make a new user happy with it.
- Option 2: You take over the bike at market value
In either scenario, you can enter into a new bike lease after the lease.
If your balance is used up, maintenance and repair costs will be charged directly to you personally.
You can find this information through the customer area. Log in to your profile and go to My Bikes.
Very quickly! The delivery time depends a bit on where you chose your bike:
- Through Joule Local, the delivery time will depend on the information you get from your local dealer.
- Through Joule Mobile, the bike will be delivered between 4-6 weeks if it is in stock.
There are three options if the employee leaves the company during the term of the lease:
- the employee purchases the bicycle for its market value at the time;
- the employee returns the bicycle upon payment of an administrative fee;
- the employee passes the bicycle to a colleague.
However, the employer is free to limit or expand these options.
There are three options if the employee leaves the company during the term of the lease:
- the employee purchases the bicycle for its market value at the time;
- the employee returns the bicycle upon payment of an administrative fee;
- the employee passes the bicycle to a colleague.
However, the employer is free to limit or expand these options.
Your employer, through the bike policy, freely determines what the options are, but usually there are three options:
- You purchase the bicycle at its then-current market value
- You return the bike and pay an administrative fee
- You pass the bike internally to a colleague
Joule can transfer your contract to your new employer free of charge if:
- Your new employer agrees, and
- Your new employer is eligible for bicycle leasing.
There are three options if the employee leaves the company during the term of the lease:
- the employee purchases the bicycle for its market value at the time;
- the employee returns the bicycle upon payment of an administrative fee;
- the employee passes the bicycle to a colleague.
However, the employer is free to limit or expand these options.
Yes, as long as your employer allows it! The tax benefit also applies as long as the bike is not fully autonomous. Your lease automatically includes the application and registration of your license plate with the DIV.
For a speed pedelec:
* You must be at least 16 years old.
* You must hold a driver's license AM (moped 45 km/h), driver's license A1, A2 or A (motorcycle) or driver's license B (car).
* You are required to wear a bicycle helmet or moped helmet that complies with EN1078, providing protection for the temples and back of the head.
- You may not transport children under 3 years of age. To transport children between 3 and 8 years of age, you must install an appropriate safety system. Civil liability insurance is not required by law for a speed pedelec with a non-autonomous motor, but may be required by the employer.
Please notify Joule within 24 hours. You can file a report through your customer area (customer area link) or you can send an email to operations@joule.be with the following information:
- The location where your bike was stolen
- The police report (see also below)
- The photos of your two bike keys as proof that the bike was locked correctly
With pickup services, you visit your local bike store and request a quote for your favorite bike and accessories.
Yes, our mobile teams travel around the country to repair your leased bike at your place of work. Joule not only has its own technical team but also a partner network of approved freelancers who come by for urgent repairs. The partner network meets the Joule quality standards and has the knowledge and spare parts to keep your bike in optimal condition.
For an urgent repair we try to come by within 2 working days. If the repair is not urgent (the bike is still running), we will come by within 2 weeks.
Our mechanics visit you at work or at home for delivery, maintenance or repairs. During the maintenance you can continue to work in peace. Our mechanics ensure that your bike rides smoothly again.
Be sure to check out our full range on the online portal. You'll find these brands, among others: Gazelle, Koga, Oxford, Batavus, QWIC, Larry vs. Harry (Bullit), Urban Arrow Cargo, Tern, Achielle, Canyon, Cowboy, Takashi, Dahon, Velo de Ville, Venturelli, Carla cargo,...
You can check out our entire collection on our (online) shop. In addition, we will visit you at work for test days or you can test the bike. Do you have questions about the bicycle? Chat with one of our employees, book a consultation session via the website or send us an email!
Fringe benefits are usually not part of the package of (most) public institutions. In 2021 the Flemish government granted local governments permission to offer bike leasing to their employees through salary swaps. Encouraging bike mobility fits within the Flemish government's action plan against traffic jams and a greener mobility and economy.
What's new is that three existing benefits are eligible to fund bicycle mobility. Those three benefits are:
- end-of-year allowance (art. 10 and 17 BVR March 12, 2021);
- 24+ vacation days or 28+ vacation days (Art. 13 and 19 BVR March 12, 2021);
- bike allowance (art. 12 BVR March 12, 2021).
Each local government is free to offer this option through an amendment of the legal position regulations and by introducing a bike policy.
Depending on the value, the public entity may seek bids, conduct a public tender, or bid through an existing framework agreement.
Since bicycle leasing is a commitment for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years, we perform a financial verification based on your company data that focuses on solvency and liquidity. After approval, we immediately provide you with a digital contract. This process takes a maximum of 24 hours provided all data are available.
Sure!
The reimbursement applies only to travel from home to work and not to professional travel. Professional travel is regarded as a cost for the employer. The employee and employer mutually determine which is the best and safest route.
The reimbursement applies only to travel from home to work and not to professional travel. Professional travel is regarded as a cost for the employer. The employee and employer mutually determine which is the best and safest route.
After a theft, you can lease a new bike.
Unfortunately, that is not possible. Joule bike leasing is an offer for companies, freelancers, and public services. As an individual, you can take out a credit or bike loan at your local bank.
This is possible provided that you regularly take the bike to work.
Do you receive a bike allowance through your employer? Then you will receive this for the days you bike to work.
Yes! You can choose a bike at your local dealer or via the offer with mobile service on Joule's website.
Yes! You can lease your bike through the local dealer:
- You can find an overview of Joule's fixed partners via this link.
- If your dealer is not yet listed, send a quote to orders@joule.be , and we will contact your bike dealer.
At Joule you can lease ànd purchase bikes. If an employer buys a bike for his employee and the employee uses the bike regularly to commute, the same (para)fiscal benefits apply.
In addition to the wide range that Joule itself offers (be sure to check out our product site), you can visit your local bike store.
This is possible provided that you regularly take the bike to work.
Do you receive a bike allowance through your employer? Then you will receive this for the days you bike to work.
At Joule you can lease ànd purchase bikes. If an employer buys a bike for his employee and the employee uses the bike regularly to commute, the same (para)fiscal benefits apply.
You can, provided your file is approved after financial verification.
This is possible provided that you regularly take the bike to work.
Do you receive a bike allowance through your employer? Then you will receive this for the days you bike to work.
Yes, it's possible. Except if the salary would drop below the wage scale (after deduction of the lease cost), or if the sectoral collective agreement doesn't allow it. The calculation is similar to the calculation of the gross salary.
This is possible provided that you regularly take the bike to work.
Do you receive a bike allowance through your employer? Then you will receive this for the days you bike to work.
At Joule you can lease ànd purchase bikes. If an employer buys a bike for his employee and the employee uses the bike regularly to commute, the same (para)fiscal benefits apply.
Unfortunately, no. A bicycle lease through Joule is only possible for companies, self-employed people or government organizations.
Would you like to collaborate? We'd love that!
Send an email to dealer@joule.be and we will get in touch with you!
From September 2024, there will be a dealer portal for all partners of Joule.
