How bike leasing works in the food industry?

bike leasing in the food industry:
how it works

Early starts, long shifts, a site that's not always easy to reach by public transit. Working in food production takes a lot out of your people, before and after the workday even starts. With bike leasing, you offer a mobility solution that's practical, fiscally smart, and workable - whether you employ blue-collar workers, white-collar staff, or both.

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No traffic, no stress

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Save time and money

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Sustainable and healthy

Small change, big impact

Less traffic on the way to work,
more energy during the workday

From challenge to solution with Joule.

Joule helpt je de perfecte fiets kiezen

🕔 Early shift, no bus in sight? If you're on the floor by six, the 6AM bus doesn't do you much good. A lease bike gives your people autonomy. They leave when it works for them, and arrive fresh and ready to go.

Joule biedt flexibele leasingopties op maat van zorgmedewerkers

🏭 Site located outside the city center? Many food companies are based on industrial zones or at the edge of town, just out of reach of the nearest tram or train. With an e-bike or speed pedelec, that last stretch is no longer a problem.

Joule helpt met leasing én ondersteuning bij fietsinfrastructuur

💪 Physical work and a long commute? A day on the production floor or in the warehouse takes energy. Rush hour traffic takes even more. With a lease bike, your people dodge the commute, stay active, and come home with more energy than anyone who spent an hour stuck in traffic.

Money, money, money

Bike leasing in the food industry: how does it work exactly?

Bike leasing is permitted within JC 118, JC 220, JC 119, and JC 202, but the options vary depending on the employee's status and the situation at company level.

White-collar employees (JC 220 and JC 202)

White-collar staff in the food industry can finance bike leasing through gross salary exchange. As long as there's enough margin above the sector pay scale, that's the most fiscally attractive route. Joule works it out together with you and your social secretariat.

Blue-collar workers (JC 118, JC 119, and JC 118.030)

For blue-collar workers, gross salary exchange is possible, provided the net salary after deduction stays above the sector pay scale.

Salary close to the scale minimum?

There are alternatives options:

  • An employer contribution, making bike leasing cost-neutral for the employee
  • A combination of partial net salary exchange and an employer contribution
  • A cafeteria plan, if one is available at company level

Specific to JC 118.030 (bakeries): the sector bike allowance here is €0.24/km, which is below the national minimum (min. €0.30/km vs. max. €0.37/km). That doesn't rule out leasing, but it's a factor to include in the calculation.

There is currently no sector-level collective agreement that facilitates bike leasing through end-of-year bonus conversion in these joint committees. That means each company needs to arrange this through a company-level agreement or individual arrangement. No worries though, Joule guides you through the whole thing.

A bike plan tailored to your organization

Our service for the food industry:
bike leasing without any bad aftertaste

At Joule, we understand what makes the food industry tick. Early hours, high staff turnover, a mix of blue- and white-collar workers, and sites that aren't always easy to reach. We've built our approach around that reality.

Here’s what you can expect with a plan tailored to your company:

We got your bike leasing

One warehouse worker or a hundred? At Joule, you start small or go big. No minimum, no fuss. Your employees pick the bike that fits, from a sturdy e-bike to a speed pedelec for longer distances.

We got your back office

Joule handles clear agreements, accurate calculations, and smooth HR support. Our tools connect to your existing payroll and HR systems. Less work for you, more cycling for your team.

We got your bike plan

We help make bike leasing actually come alive on the work floor. With info sessions, test days, and straightforward communication, we get your people excited about the bike, at their pace and within their reality.

Carefree bike leasing

Bike leasing without the fuss? We’ve got you covered.

Life’s busy enough with rules, paperwork, and complicated calculations. That’s why Joule makes bike leasing simple and accessible. Use our handy tools and focus on what really matters.

Local bike dealer Lucien's shop.

How Joule works

From idea to action: Joule helps kick-start your bike plan

With Joule, you can launch a strong bike plan in just three steps.

Step 1

Design your bike plan

Together, we’ll lay the foundation for your bike policy:

  • Develop your internal bike policy
  • Set up the operational process
  • Align with your payroll partner for salary processing
Step 2

Activate your bike plan

A strong start makes all the difference. We’ll help get your team on board:

  • Info sessions and test rides for employees
  • HR onboarding and administrative guidance
  • Tools and communication to boost excitement
Step 3

Keep it going and growing

Joule stays with you every step of the way:

  • Ongoing support for your employees
  • We’ll refresh the plan when needed
  • We adapt as your needs evolve
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Ready to work on your leasing plan?

Our team is happy to answer any questions you may have.
Does your organization already offer bike leasing through Joule? Reach out directly to our customer care team via orders@joule.be

FAQs

You ask, we answer.

What happens when the employee leaves the company and terminates the leasing?

Plusteken

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.

Is bike leasing possible for blue-collar workers in the food industry?

Plusteken

Yes, but it depends on the salary margin. Gross salary exchange is the simplest route. If the salary is close to the sector pay scale, we'll work out the right alternative together with your social secretariat.

Does a collective agreement have to be in place to start bike leasing?

Plusteken

For most financing options (gross salary exchange, cafeteria plan), no sector-level agreement is needed. A company-level agreement or individual arrangement is usually sufficient. Joule helps you set it up.

Can blue- and white-collar workers join the bike plan at the same time?

Plusteken

Absolutely. Joule doesn't draw a line between the two. Everyone on your team, from production worker to team leader, can request a lease bike through the same platform.

What bike allowance applies in the food industry?

Plusteken

It depends on the joint committee. JC 119 and JC 202 sit at €0.27/km. JC 118.030 (bakeries) has a sector allowance of €0.24/km. The maximum fiscally exempt amount is €0.37/km (2026). Employees with a lease bike keep their right to a bike allowance on top of the lease cost.

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