Testimonials from participants, organisers and partners
Learning to ride a bike is a great experience. The lessons are fun and you meet new people. Finally you can cycle, just like everyone else does in Leuven, Ghent, Ostend, Putte, Mechelen, Sint-Katelijne-waver and many other communities. You can cycle to school, run errands by bike, meet friends or go to your favourite leisure activity while also being sporty.
Watch and enjoy these stories of other participants. Who knows, maybe one day your story will inspire others too!
“Bij Lease a Bike geloven we in de kracht van fietsen. Als duurzame mobiliteitsoplossing en als hefboom voor sociale verandering. Met trots ondersteunen we de missie van De Fietsschool: zoveel mogelijk mensen leren fietsen.”
Lease a Bike
"If you can't cycle in Belgium, you don't really belong. That's a pity. This is why we offer cycling lessons to our OKAN students."
An, Heilig Hart Instituut Heverlee
"Thanks to the lessons, I can now cycle to the shop by myself. I feel freer."
Syrian participant at De Fietsschool
"I always cycle to town now. And I had never cycled 6 months ago."
Exchange student from China
"I thought I would never be able to do it, but now I cycle to work every day."
Participant at De Fietsschool, 47 years old
"All my friends can ride a bike. For a long time, I could not. But now I can cycle too. It was so much fun to learn."
an 8-year old participant
Your teacher Ine
Since the beginning, Ine has been helping adults to cycle safely. She made our approach better and better so that even more people can learn to ride a bike. Do you have a question about teaching? Then Ine will be happy to help you!
Your teacher Ilse
Ilse teaches plenty of cycling classes to adults, students and young people. She keeps track of all the numbers of our lessons to improve our approach. She is also committed to providing affordable bikes so that everyone can actually keep cycling after the lessons.
Your teacher Hannelore
With great patience and experience, Hannelore makes every cycling lesson fun and educational! She helps adults learn to ride a bike and makes sure volunteers are properly trained. She also comes up with creative ideas to share the best De Fietsschool stories with everyone!
Your teacher Lotte
Lotte is the youngest of our Fietsschool team and, thanks to her studies in exercise and sports science, knows exactly how to learn to ride a bike. She helps young and old get started with lots of energy and a big smile.
"For new residents, the bicycle is not only a functional means of transport, but also a symbol of freedom, independence and self-confidence. That feeling is worth its weight in gold, proving that cycling does indeed change lives."
Richard, has been organising cycling classes in Leuven for five years and is Veloot of De Fietsschool
"Why I wanted to learn to ride a bike? I am a cleaner. By cycling, I can help a lot more clients in a day. Just because I can get there more easily."
Irondina learned to ride a bike with De Fietsschool
"The session not only highlighted the practical side of cycling lessons, but also constituted a lesson in empathy. We put ourselves in the shoes of novice cyclists and learned from that perspective how best to guide participants."
Ilse, teacher at the local cycling school in Diksmuide
"I see a lot of people cycling. And now I can cycle myself. Now I belong."
Vivian learned to ride a bike with De Fietsschool
"Now I often ride a bike, my knees and back no longer hurt. Cycling is healthy and good for my body."
Karima learned to ride a bike through De Fietsschool
"Why I wanted to learn to ride a bike? I am a cleaner. With a bicycle, I can help many more clients in one day. Simply because I can get there more easily."
Irondina learned to ride a bike with De Fietsschool
"For new residents, the bicycle is not only a functional means of transport, but also a symbol of freedom, independence and self-confidence. That feeling is worth its weight in gold, proving that cycling does indeed change lives."
Richard, has been organising cycling classes in Leuven for five years and is Veloot of De Fietsschool
"Cycling is healthy, environmentally friendly and cheap. But most of all, it's great fun. Those benefits should be enjoyed by everyone."
Gerlinde, volunteer at De Fietsschool
"Suddenly the participants are cycling around the teaching square. Then you not only see the pride on their faces, but feel it yourself. That's what you do it for as a volunteer."
Jill, volunteer at De Fietsschool