In June 2024, UNDP Geneva embarked for the very first time on the Bike to Work challenge. Every year in May and June over 100,000 commuters in Switzerland participate to the challenge and “ride the talk”, choosing sustainable mobility to commute to work. The challenge consists in biking as many workdays as possible. Through Bike to Work, about 3,300 companies strengthen their staff's team spirit and fitness, while supporting sustainable mobility practice. 

“UNDP Geneva decided to take the Bike to Work challenge to encourage staff to experiment alternatives to driving to the office and encourage them to overcome the initial worries some had regarding using a bike for their daily commute. The challenge gave me a push as well, and while initially I thought business attire and high heals don’t suit biking, now I just bike everywhere, and happily merged my habits. This is a great way to change our behaviours,” noted Agi Veres, UNDP Geneva Director. 

15 UNDP Geneva staff registered within the UNDP team and committed to bike to the office instead of using their cars at least 50% of their weekly commute. In total, UNDP team covered 2,073 km, biked 148 days in one month, ranging from 36 kms to over 300 km in June. The team involved veteran cyclists, moderate aficionados and total beginners. In total 9 out of 15 staff managed to bike at least 50% of their commute – a great start for the first edition!

“It was a scary challenge at first as I had never biked as part of my daily commute. Even if I didn’t reach the goal of biking 50% of my commute, the experience was an eye opener for me. Biking was truly enjoyable and helped to release the stress of the day. I could really see the health benefit, and I feel confident I could do better next year,” noted one of the team members. 

The bike to work challenge is only the beginning of the behaviour change that is needed to beat the climate crisis and improve staff wellbeing.

“UNDP Geneva is committed to influence the broader ecosystem. For instance, for all of our events we include a standing line inviting participants to use public transport or bike to reach our activities,” noted Agi Veres. “Being executives doesn’t mean we sit in our cars going to meetings, while encouraging others to bike, rather, for us to jump on the bike, too!”