Meet the pro-ecology company where (most) workers arrive by bike
Promoting the environment is in the 鈥榗ompany鈥檚 DNA鈥� say employees as Europe celebrates European Mobility Week
The employees of a small French consultancy firm cycle to work year round, not just for European mobility week
Alex Yuzhakov / Shutterstock
Most of the employees of a small company in eastern France cycle to work, and for those who do not, there are charging points for electric cars and access to a car-sharing system.
Engineering consultancy firm Opale, based in Gennes, Doubs, specialises in renewable energy projects, which means that environmentally friendly transport is a key part of its identity.
Jean-Pierre Laurent, Opale鈥檚 chief executive, has used an electric bike to commute to work for the past three years. He told France 3 鈥渋t鈥檚 a bit of exercise, I will be active all day but this is a moment that is just for me and I want to spend it outside鈥�.
Laurent Weber, an engineer at the company, said 鈥渢here are quite a few of us who cycle to work several times a week. I personally cycle to work three times a week and it鈥檚 important for us. It鈥檚 one of the company鈥檚 key values, something that we would like to see others do as well鈥�.
However, Mr Laurent said that although 鈥榮oft mobility鈥� is 鈥渨ritten into the company鈥檚 DNA,鈥� he does not want to be seen as preaching eco-responsibility.
Read also: French cycling: France's historical passion for the bicycle
European mobility week
The story of Opale and its employees鈥� commute comes midway through European mobility week, which in 2023 runs from September 16-23.
The weeklong initiative on the theme of saving energy, supported by the European Commission, has taken place every year from 2002 and aims to promote sustainable urban mobility.
According to the initiative鈥檚 website, 2,822 cities are taking part this year across 43 countries.
The initiative鈥檚 says 68 cities across France are taking part with various activities organised to encourage sustainable transport. In Nice, Alpes Maritimes, for example, Thursday (September 21) is bicycle day, and on Friday (September 22) 鈥渟ustainable transport flat rates鈥� will be in place.
In Strasbourg, Sunday (September 24) has been declared a 鈥榗ar-free鈥� day, with the Avenue du Rhin closed to traffic.
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