UBP made a strong debut in the Switzerland-wide Bike to Work Challenge this May. Over 110 colleagues pedalled with determination, collectively covering more than 26,000 kilometres.
Split into 34 teams of up to four people each, our colleagues showed true team spirit and enjoyed some friendly competition.
Bike to Work is Switzerland’s largest bike promotion campaign with over 3,000 companies participating annually. At UBP, the challenge was met with much enthusiasm. Colleagues cycled to work for 76% of their working days, with 34 employees cycling to work every single day despite sometimes wet and windy weather.
Leading the pack was Perrine Crozet who covered an astounding 781 kilometres over 19 working days, averaging about 41 kilometres per day.
“Riding my bike is always a joy. I appreciated the scenic route as well as the tranquillity and freedom that cycling to work brought me. Even with battery assistance, it contributed to my training for ‘real’ cycling adventures at the weekend.”
Perrine Crozet, Financial Controller at UBP
Participants who cycled for at least 50% of their working days will be entered into a prize draw in early July, with the chance of winning bikes, cycling gear, and more exciting surprises.
Promoting cycling at UBP
Initiatives promoting soft mobility are increasingly important to help UBP to continue to lower its carbon footprint. Commuting is a major contributor, accounting for over 30% of the Bank’s total operational emissions.
Thanks to a significant uptake of public transport across several of our sites, commuting emissions have decreased by 14% compared with 2023. However, the proportion remains high, underscoring the need to make more progress.
Cycling offers an attractive low-carbon commuting solution, with the additional benefit of contributing to personal well-being through daily exercise. Yet, it is not widely adopted by UBP employees, with only 3% using e-bikes and 4% using regular bikes or walking. In Switzerland, these numbers are slightly higher but have fallen since 2023.
To help unlock this potential, UBP is supporting employees in cycling to work. In addition to the Bike to Work Challenge, UBP organised several bike maintenance sessions in 2024, building on the successes of previous years.
So far, more than 110 colleagues have had their bikes serviced by professionals during sessions at various UBP locations. Zurich went first, with 18 colleagues dropping their bikes off for check-ups and repairs in February. Next up was Geneva, where mechanics were on site for three days in early April, servicing 90 bikes. Meanwhile, our colleagues in Basel have started having their bikes serviced by a local shop, and London will host their annual session on 17 June.
In Monaco, employees can get a 50% discount on their annual electric bike hire subscription with Monabike.
With summer now in full swing, we hope that more colleagues will feel inspired to take up cycling and reap the benefits it can bring!
