The potential of bike desks to reduce sedentary time in the office: a mixed-method study

- Participants cycled for approximately 98 min/week.
- Most participants spoke positively about the bike desk and would continue using them.
- People experienced a positive effect on attention, motivation and work performance.
- Participants felt more energetic and more self-confident.
- The intervention positively influenced participants' lifestyle.

ObjectivesTo investigate the use of bike desks in an office setting and office workers' experiences of bike desks.Study designMixed-method study; quantitative data of cycling desk use in combination with qualitative data of users' experience were obtained via questionnaires.MethodsBike desks were provided in an office setting during a five-month period. The amount of cycled time, distance and the cycling intensity were registered. At the end of the intervention period, participants filled out a questionnaire about their experiences of cycling desks in the office.ResultsParticipants cycled for approximately 98 min/week. Most participants were very positive about their bike desk experience and almost all of them would continue using them. About one third of the participants experienced a positive effect on attention and work performance and for about two thirds it positively influenced their motivation during work. Furthermore, about half of the participants felt more energetic, more self-confident and perceived a positive effect on their health and lifestyle.ConclusionsProviding bike desks in an office reduces office workers sedentary time. Furthermore, people experienced positive effects on several personal and work-related parameters. Therefore, providing bike desks in office settings seems to be a promising means to reduce sedentary time.