Tag Archive: Flanders

  1. Report on the success factors of a regional shared bike system

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    The region of Flanders in Belgium has provided the data for an in-depth report into the combination of factors that enable the successful implementation of shared bike systems, when considered at the regional level (encompassing multiple municipalities, cities and even rural areas), rather than solely in city centres.

    The report, published by Fietsberaad Vlaanders in collaboration with The New Drive, analyses the critical success factors which determine how a regional shared bike program becomes an essential ingredient in a regional mobility network. The report focuses specifically on shared bike systems which have been rolled out at Belgium’s regional transport level, which consists of multiple municipalities, cities and rural areas.

    The report authors state that the report provides project managers of shared bike systems with the tools to optimise their systems, with the impact of political and policy decisions taken into account.

    Highlighted factors on the road to success include:

    • Affordability (price level, subscription model, plus any targeted discounts)
    • Accessibility (aligning with mobility centres and hubs such as train stations)
    • Availability (sufficient bikes and sufficient locations)
    • Usability (the quality and ease-of-use of the bikes)
    • Reliability (efficient redistribution methods and processes, bug-free and up-to-date digital system for users)
    • Awareness (effective marketing and promotion)
    • Comprehensibility (clear pricing, logical locations and allowable usage areas)

    The report states that, “the bike-sharing system has proven its added value in the urban and regional mobility landscape. To take the next step – where the shared bike is not just an option, but the first and most logical choice for the ‘last mile’ and beyond – a coordinated and decisive approach is needed. The future of regional shared mobility lies in uniformity, seamless integration, and smart collaboration.”

    The full report can be accessed here.

  2. Young innovative Flemish companies can apply for subsidy to scale up

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    Source: VLAIO

    VLAIO, the Flemish government’s Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, is offering a substantial subsidy to young enterprises in the region to assist them in scaling up their business or operations.

    Applications for the Schaalklaar (Scale-ready) subsidy is open to small companies of between 1 and 5 years old, which have the ambition and potential to scale up. If approved, they can receive a grant of up to 70% of their project budget, with a maximum of €350,000 available. There must be a robust project plan in place which requires an investment of at least €500,000.

    Further eligibility criteria have been outlined by VLAIO:

    • Companies must have at least two active partners and a multidisciplinary team of at least six full-time employees (including partners).
    • The founders and co-founders own at least the majority (50.1%) of the company.
    • The company must fall within the parameters of the European definition of a small company: fewer than 50 employees, and a maximum annual turnover or balance sheet of  €10 million.
    • The company’s operational location must be in the Flemish region.
    • The company must have achieved initial turnover, or have a Letter of Intent (LOI) from one or more customers.
    • Eligible companies are those that have not yet distributed profits and have not emerged from a merger or acquisition.

    Application process

    Pre-registration of the relevant project is mandatory, and can be submitted between the dates of April 7-30, 2026. If the project is approved, a full project can be submitted between June 1 and August 20 – more details on this process can be found here.

    Assessment criteria

    Applications will be assessed according to six criteria, then ranked based on the score achieved:

    • quality of the team;
    • innovation;
    • potential;
    • plan of approach;
    • social impact;
    • incentive effect of the subsidy.

    Evaluation

    After the submission period closes, all eligible project applications will be assessed by a jury of independent experts. Applicant companies will present their project applications to this jury, during sessions scheduled on September 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, and 28, 2026.

    Together with VLAIO advisors, the project applications will be assessed according to the established selection criteria. The projects will be ranked based on the evaluation. The 15 best-scoring projects will receive funding. 

    Those wanting more details can register for the informational webinar, organized by NOA in collaboration with The Growth Collective and VLAIO, on March 23.

  3. Cycling in Flanders now represents 18.5% of all journeys

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    Source: Fietsberaad

    A survey by the government of the Flanders region of Belgium shows that overall journeys made by electric bike, speed pedelec or traditional bike have risen to 18.5% – the highest recorded share.

    The Travel Behaviour Survey 7 (Onderzoek Verplaatsingsgedrag 7) saw participation by almost 24,000 Flanders residents in 2023-2024, and provides an important source of information for the government’s policy decisions on traffic safety, public transport and traffic jams.

    When it comes to commuting journeys specifically, the cycling share is in fact higher, with 10.4% made by electric bike, 1.8% by speed pedelec, and 9.9% on traditional bike. School traffic is the highest reported reason for travelling at 36.2%.

    Ownership of electric bikes by Flemish people is now at 44%, with an average age of 48. Traditional bike owners are on average 33 years old.

    The share of all sustainable transport modes in Flanders has risen to 46.9% on an average weekday, compared to the pre-pandemic level in the 2018-2019 survey of 44%. Sustainable modes include cycling, walking, electric scooter, and public transport. Antwerp is the region showing the larges share of sustainable transport journeys at 58%, while Bruges, Ghent and Kempen see the most people cycling on average, at 24%. It is also notable that car use across Flanders is still lower than before the pandemic.