According to a survey conducted by Arval, eight out of ten Brazilian companies already offer at least one mobility alternative for their employees regarding corporate cars or public transportation. This new perspective on the topic is a consequence of the various recent changes in the world of work, especially with the growth of coworking spaces.
According to Daniel Moral, CEO and co-founder ofEureka Coworking, one of the main global networks in the sector, these spaces transform the way people move around cities, as they have flexible operating hours and are located close to subway stations, bike lanes, and even workers' homes. "They are environments aimed at those who want to optimize time and reduce commuting stress," he says.
The executive also emphasizes that this segment is essential not only to boost careers but also to the businesses of companies. "Employees are able to organize their daily lives calmly, dedicating themselves to both their personal and professional lives. This results in greater satisfaction with their employers, who, in addition to saving transportation costs, gain in productivity," he adds.
Importance of bicyclesEureka Coworking is an example of how coworking spaces impact the relationship between work and mobility, mainly by emphasizing the important role of bicycles. In addition to having units located at strategic points in the city, such as Avenida Paulista, in front of Praça do Ciclista, the company's buildings encourage coworkers to travel using their own decorated transportation, which simulate bike lanes.
Part of this is also due to the fact that Moral is a co-creator of the project.Bike Tour SP, an initiative that promotes bike rides through different routes in São Paulo. The project has already impacted over 80,000 people and raises more than 1 ton of food per month.
"The bicycle, for me, has always been synonymous with freedom, accessibility, sustainability, and well-being," emphasizes the executive. "It's one of the modes of transportation that most accompanies a dynamic lifestyle connected to the urban environment, so let's continue motivating our coworkers to incorporate this practice into their commutes," she adds.
The coworking space is also equipped with all the necessary infrastructure for cyclists, such as free bike racks. Furthermore, Eureka supports initiatives such as Ciclocidade, Pedale-se, and Cheguei de Bike, as well as Shimano Fest, the largest event in the two-wheeled sector.
World Car Free DayStill in Mobility Month, the World Car-Free Day was celebrated on September 22. Therefore, Eureka Coworking organized a special event that day, taking 15 members to explore the city of São Paulo through Bike Tour SP, which included a reception with breakfast at Eureka located inside Top Center Shopping, the starting point for the city tour.
The action also extended to the Eureka Lisbon unit in Portugal. During the European Mobility Week 2024, which took place from September 16 to 22, the company organized a walking tour in Lisbon for the companies based in the city.
One of the main objectives of the initiative is to promote less polluting mobility, since these cars emit a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The United Nations (UN) itself estimates that living without a car can reduce the annual carbon footprint by about 3.6 tons.
Moral also adds that the actions can help other people and companies rethink their relationships with the city. "More than saving time lost in lines and traffic, leaving the car at home fosters a more collective way of thinking focused on the well-being of society and the environment," he concludes.
