BE CYCLE: Cycling actions in shelters
Cycling changes lives. Also in Flemish and Brussels reception centres, where residents often have limited access to other means of transport. To promote cycling there as an accessible means of transport, De Fietsschool works on sustainable and integral cycling initiatives in reception centres through the Fedasil project BE CYCLE.
What if you don't get there?
Cycling is a relatively cheap and approachable way to get to work, the shop or the doctor. To enjoy the benefits cycling offers, you need to have access to a bike. And, of course, be able to cycle safely.
For newcomers, and especially residents of reception centres, this is not a given. Yet 84% of Flemish and Brussels reception centres indicate that bicycles can be a solution to their residents' transport problems.
BE CYCLE strengthens self-reliance
To further promote cycling as an accessible mode of transport for shelter residents, BE CYCLE supports sustainable and integrated cycling initiatives in those centres. In doing so, the aim is to:
1) strengthen the self-reliance of residents in terms of mobility,
2) increase the capacity of centre staff in terms of cycling lessons, traffic skills training, bicycle lending, bicycle maintenance and bicycle repair,
3) deepen local partnerships that can support cycling initiatives in centres.
Cycling potential in shelters: room for further growth
To better understand the potential of the bicycle in shelters, BE CYCLE conducted an online survey of Flemish and Brussels centres in spring 2023. The survey shows that cycling already plays an important role. For instance, the centres indicate that half of their residents already cycle. In addition, many centres already focus on bicycle mobility, for instance by helping residents to get a bicycle or by organising cycling lessons.
Moreover, there is still potential for further growth. For instance, 9 out of 10 centres indicate that even more residents would cycle if given the opportunity, e.g. thanks to cycling lessons or support in buying their own bicycle.
Cycling initiatives in shelters: Integrated and sustainable
Based on the insights from the online survey, BE CYCLE rolled out cycling initiatives in five centres in 2023. These are pilot projects in Arendonk, Kapellen, Koksijde, Pelt and Wingene.
In the five projects, De Fietsschool focused on the so-called 'software' of cycling mobility: cycling skills training, traffic skills training and the composition of a 'cycling team' within each centre. Specifically, in the five centres, De Fietsschool gave cycling lessons to 73 residents without cycling experience and trained 32 volunteers and staff members as cycling instructors.
Group INTRO in turn took care of the 'hardware', working around bicycle ownership, loan, maintenance and repair. Thus, each centre received a budget of 3300 euros for the purchase of teaching bicycles, centre bicycles, bicycle repair columns and repair materials. Three centres also received coaching on bicycle repair.
By combining software and hardware, the pilot projects arrived at an integrated approach. They covered all aspects of bicycle mobility. Furthermore, they try to focus on sustainable initiatives, which will continue even after BE CYCLE ends. Therefore, collaborations with local partners and Volunteers were established.
The impact of BE CYCLE: Getting to work
After thorough monitoring and evaluation of the pilot projects, BE CYCLE compiled its insights and experiences into a handy roadmap. This roadmap supports other shelters that want to roll out a sustainable and integrated cycling initiative or improve existing actions and activities. Project partner HERW!N, the umbrella organisation of social circular organisations, is jointly responsible for the dissemination of that roadmap.
In 2024, following the first phase of BE CYCLE, De Fietsschool launched five new pathways to coach even more centres on cycling mobility. These are the centres of Berlaar, Dilbeek, Jabbeke, Houthalen-Helchteren and Lommel.
Partners
BE CYCLE is a fine partnership between De Fietsschool of Mobiel 21, Group Intro and HERW!N. Since 2024, De Fietsschool has been taking care of the coaching programmes in the centres on its own.
The project receives support from Fedasil, which each year funds specific projects on the reception of applicants for international protection and other reception beneficiaries. BE CYCLE was one of the approved projects in 2023, and the only project within "Theme 4: Investing in increasing residents' resilience and autonomy".
