Since the publication of our last CSR report at the end of 2022, Vélogik has been pursuing its commitment and actions in terms of social and environmental responsibility (SER). Our CSR policy, structured around the B Corp pillars, is at the heart of Vélogik’s DNA.
Here’s an overview of our actions on the 5 B Corp pillars, in anticipation of the publication of our next CSR report in 2025.
Governance
Bringing values and raison d’être to life within the company and with stakeholders
In 2023, the bicycle industry went through a period of turbulence, which Vélogik did not escape.
The year was marked by the reorganization of the company and a refocusing on theoperation and technical management of bicycle services. This led to a change in management, which is committed to pursuing its CSR actions.
- By taking part in the ” Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat“, the Lyon 2024 route to reflect on our business model so that it is respectful of living organisms and within planetary limits.
This ongoing work will culminate in a roadmap for regenerative redirection.
- By fully involving senior managers in our CSR policy. Today, 100% of managers have part of their remuneration linked to their results in these areas.
Employees
Associate individual development with corporate development in a secure, motivating and inclusive environment
Team turnover increased in 2023, reflecting the company’s difficult situation. Trends are better for 2024, but employee satisfaction is the priority for the coming months.
Our actions in favor of inclusion have continued with the setting up of an integration workshop at our Paris technicenter in June 2023.
This workshop, run by the Arès Group, brings together 6 trainees under the direction of a team leader. It is part of the Ivry workshop’s morning shift and is subject to specific performance monitoring. It enables the people supported to receive on-the-job training in contact with Vélogik’s technical teams. In 2024: 6 people supported by Arès within this framework were then hired and joined the Vélogik teams.
Local authorities
Supporting the Vélogik movement for a professional, inclusive and sustainable industry
- Vélogik promotes the decarbonization of mobility in partnership with trade associations in the bicycle industry, such asAAVP (Association des acteurs du vélo Public).
In 2023, the latter published the Public Bicycle Report, which provides a detailed snapshot of the supply and impact of public bicycle rental services.
- We also regularly take part in initiatives to promote integration within the industry.
Indeed, cycle mechanics are the trades of the future, which cannot be relocated and which contribute to the essential ecological transition. We are convinced that they must be accessible to all, through training courses adapted to people in difficulty.
At present, there are very few women in our teams, especially our technical teams. We have made this a priority area for improvement. Information is available in this article.
- From a general point of view Thebicycle industry in France is continuing its structuring, which led to the signing of an industry contract in June 2024 and the definition of 16 priority projects in the fields of reindustrialization, ecological transition, skills and communication.
Targets: 2 million bicycles produced in France and 100,000 jobs by 2030.
At European level, Vélogik is a member of the Cycling Industries Europe trade association, and participates in the distribution of its study “Benchmarking bike sharing in 148 cities”, which highlights the key performance indicators for the successful deployment of self-service bikes.
This study was previewed at Vélocity 2024.
It was also at Vélocity 2024 that we were able to take part in the “Fighting transport poverty through access to bicycles” conference, where we presented the Freevélo’v service we operate on behalf of the Lyon Metropolis.
Freevélo’v is a VLD long-term rental service aimed at students and young people between the ages of 18 and 25. Its aim is to enable young people to get to grips with regular cycling in the first years of their adult lives, by lending them a bike free of charge.
The prize for “Improving bicycle use” was awarded to the Metropole de Lyon by the European Cyclists’ Federation.
Environment
Measuring and reducing the impact of our activities on the environment
With the need for ecological transition, the bicycle is more than ever a means of mobility to be developed for both passenger and goods transport. Today, as in the past, Vélogik is mobilized to work towards decarbonizing mobility and reducing the impact of its activities.
- In 2024, Vélogik carried out a carbon audit and committed to reducing its emissions by 50% over 10 years in line with the Paris Accords. This quantified audit enabled us to precisely identify the priority actions for reducing our GHG emissions, namely the decarbonization of our own vehicle fleets. While we prefer to use cargo bikes for our business activities, some operations have to be carried out by lorry when distances are long or loads are too heavy.
- By working with our partners to recondition bikes and components. Particular attention is paid to batteries. We work with specialists such as Doctibike and Nowos to recondition them. Once the battery has been diagnosed, it can be dismantled if necessary. The various battery components are sorted. Connectors and wiring are recovered. Individual cells are tested, and those damaged or no longer functioning optimally are replaced. Finally, the battery is reassembled and tested. Battery reconditioning reduces the consumption of natural resources.
When batteries reach the end of their life, we recycle them via the Corepile network. Batteries are secured and dismantled to separate components such as metals (lithium, cobalt, nickel) and plastics. Metals are recycled, while non-recyclable parts are recovered for energy purposes. This process recovers valuable materials and prevents pollution from used batteries.
Customers
Develop cycling for all, by supporting our customers throughout their cycling projects
- Customer satisfaction is central to our organization.
Our customers are mobility operators or local authorities who wish to set up or already have a bicycle service. Or companies like La Poste, which has a fleet of bicycles that must be operational on a daily basis.
We support them at every stage in the operation of a bicycle service: from the definition of their needs and the sizing of their service, to its management in partnership with the local ecosystem, to guarantee maximum fleet availability and user satisfaction. We promote their services through educational events and publicity campaigns.
- We are constantly on the lookout for innovative solutions to decarbonize mobility and set up inclusive bicycle services.
So, in May 2024, the Maison du Vélo du Grand Avignon, managed by Vélogik on behalf of Fifteen, opened its doors. It’s a reception and resource center for aspiring and experienced cyclists, companies wishing to promote this mode of transport, and local bicycle enthusiasts.
It is dedicated to all types of cycling: vélotaf, leisure and tourism. Its aim is to give everyone the means to get into the saddle or become more independent, thanks to educational events throughout the Greater Avignon area. Its aim is to federate and promote initiatives by local players to develop cycling mobility.
Vélogik places CSR at the heart of its activities. We’re convinced that bicycles can help transform regions, making them more peaceful, healthy, resilient and inclusive.
We want to develop a business model that is useful to society and committed to a sustainable future. This journey isn’t always a straight and smooth one, and there are still many paths to explore and obstacles to overcome. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the company’s employees for their daily commitment, the investors who have placed their trust in us, and our customers and partners, without whom nothing would be possible.
