Workers who ride their bikes to work should be rewarded with an additional day's holiday, according to Green Party Member of Parliament Stefan Gelbhaar. Confirmed yellow hair, chairman of the Committee on Transport and Digital Infrastructure and spokesman for urban mobility and cycling, the SPIEGEL.
"An additional day for cyclists is fair," said Gelbhaar newspapers "Bild" and "BZ" before. Because cyclists would get sick less often thanks to the regular exercise. In addition, more people would be motivated to come to work by bicycle.
Experts agree in principle that more exercise has a health-promoting effect. According to the Federal Environment Agency, several examples from large corporations show that sickness-related absenteeism decreases as the number of cycling employees increases. In the Netherlands, there was already a proposal to pay cyclists a supplement of 19 cents, because they are fitter and less often sick.
Health insurance, this bill, according to "Bild" newspaper, however, too one-sided. "What about people who do not ride a bicycle, but pay attention to a balanced diet? No one wants a health police," the "Bild" quotes the Barmer.
The health insurance DAK health explained that health-promoting behavior such as cycling is basically welcome. "It strengthens physical fitness and is also climate-friendly," said spokesman Florian Kastl. Of course, the same applies to pedestrians. It is up to employers to reward sports activities - whether with an extra day's holiday or otherwise.
Reference to urgent problems
The General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) finds the suggestion of yellow hair "very pretty". Anyone who cycles to work does society a favor and saves the employer, said spokeswoman Stephanie Krone. "But what we urge more is more space for good bike paths!" Then more people would travel the commute on the bike.
The union Ver.di also pointed to more urgent problems. For Gelbhaars push there is "no compelling logic," said spokeswoman Daniela Milutin. "A better logic would be to provide the public transport free of charge, so that more people renounce the car." Moreover, according to Milutin, pedestrians and cyclists in cities should take precedence over cars more often.
Many workers also do not have the option of cycling to work - because their job is too far from their place of residence. In recent years, the number of commuters in Germany has continued to rise - to last around 18 million people.