Tag Archive: Leuven

  1. City of Leuven pilot project explores barriers to shared mobility

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    Source: Mobiel 21

    Sustainable mobility organisation Mobiel 21 was commissioned by the City of Leuven, Belgium, to analyse the barriers which people face in accessing mobility options such as shared bicycles, and to prepare a set of recommendations for dismantling those barriers.

    Shared mobility is gaining popularity in the Flanders region, with bicycles, cargo bikes and scooters among the vehicles available, however research has shown that accessibility could be improved. Those on lower incomes, the elderly and residents from migrant background communities use shared mobility less. Mobiel 21 highlights that shared mobility can act as a useful tool particularly for such vulnerable groups, providing access to a means of transport to work, school and other daily activities, without the high costs associated with purchasing, insurance, and maintenance.

    Launch of the Leuven pilot project

    The City of Leuven set up a pilot project, in collaboration with Mobiel 21 and shared transport providers VELO vzw and Cambio, with the aim of better understanding existing barriers residents experience in accessing shared mobility options. Between March 2024 and March 2025, temporary shared transport points were set up in three Leuven community centres, which actively serve neighbourhoods that are home to people in vulnerable groups.

    Residents were able to use a mix of shared mobility transport modes for a period of four months at each of the community centres – traditional bikes, electric bikes, electric cargo bikes, and a car. Participation was free of charge, in an effort to make the project as accessible as possible.

    Research during the project consisted of interviews with participants, and a focus group with community workers based at the three centres. The interviews explored with participants any barriers they experienced when using the shared vehicles, and their thoughts on shared mobility as a solution to their needs. The focus group discussed shared mobility, inclusion and mobility poverty. The community workers forming the focus group were the first point of contact for the project’s participants, assisting with registration and sign-ups with the sharing scheme providers, and gaining insights into local residents’ mobility needs.

    Identified barriers

    A range of barriers which can influence the use of shared mobility were identified by the research. With the pilot project being free of charge for participants, other factors than financial were highlighted:

    • Knowledge: Many residents did not really know what shared mobility entails.
    • Digital and practical skills: Using an app, or riding an electric bicycle or cargo bike does not come naturally to everyone.
    • How the sharing system works: Registration and making reservations can cause stress.
    • The sharing mindset: The contrast between “owning” to “shared-use” takes some getting used to.
    • Location and design of the sharing point: Proximity and recognisability of sharing points are crucial to attract users.
    • Cost: Even if rides are affordable, many people still feel financial stress, such as high entry fees, or a fear of fines.

    Recommendations for inclusive shared mobility

    Mobiel 21 drew up seven distinct recommendations which can act as a reference point to policymakers and shared mobility service providers in making shared schemes better tailored to the real-world requirements of vulnerable communities:

    • Communicate broadly, in clear language
    • Focus on personal guidance
    • Arrange practice sessions with the vehicles
    • Choose a familiar location and an offer tailored to the neighborhood
    • Simplify the registration process
    • Provide alternative methods to digital access
    • Ensure an affordable and balanced pricing model

    Based on the research results, the interviews, and the focus groups with the community workers, general recommendations can be made to make shared mobility more inclusive and better tailored to the wishes and needs of vulnerable population groups.

    The Insight document prepared by Mobiel 21 on the project can be downloaded here, in Dutch.

  2. Registration Opens for Annual POLIS Conference 2024

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    The annual POLIS Conference, a premier event in the field of sustainable urban mobility, is now open for registrations for its 2024 edition.

    Scheduled to take place in Leuven, Belgium, on April 17-18, 2024, the conference will gather policymakers, mobility experts, industry leaders, and urban planners from across Europe and beyond. This year’s theme, “People and Places,” reflects the conference’s commitment to exploring how urban spaces can be reimagined to prioritize sustainable transport and improve quality of life for citizens.

    As the leading network of European cities and regions working on innovative transport solutions, POLIS has a longstanding tradition of hosting conferences that foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. The 2024 event is offering a comprehensive program that includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees will have the chance to learn from the latest research, engage with cutting-edge projects, and discuss policies that can drive the transition towards greener, safer, and more inclusive urban mobility.

    One of the key highlights of the conference is the opportunity for participants to visit Leuven’s state-of-the-art mobility projects. As a city known for its forward-thinking approach to urban transport, Leuven serves as an ideal backdrop for discussions on sustainable mobility. Participants can expect to gain first-hand insights into successful strategies for reducing car dependency, enhancing public transport, and promoting active modes of travel such as cycling and walking.

    The POLIS Conference is not only a platform for exchanging ideas but also a space for shaping the future of urban mobility. With challenges like climate change, congestion, and urbanization intensifying, the conference will focus on innovative solutions that can address these pressing issues.

    Registrations are now open, and those interested are encouraged to secure their place early. More details about the conference program and speakers will be announced in the coming months, promising an event that will be both informative and inspiring for all those involved in the field of sustainable urban mobility.

  3. The 2023 Annual POLIS Conference will take place 29-30 November in Leuven, Belgium

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    Source: POLIS Network

    Europe’s leading sustainable urban mobility event returns in 2023, after a record-breaking 2022 conference.

    The annual event provides an opportunity for cities and regions to showcase their transport achievements to a large audience of mobility experts, practitioners, and decision-makers, both public and private.

    Visit the POLIS website and learn more, here.

    Regarding the host city, and current President, Leuven, the Polis Network shared: “Leuven, Belgium, is a mission-driven city that excels through inspiring governance models and the systems put in place for the public to innovate and get involved in critical decision-making processes. Dynamic and diverse, Leuven is at the forefront of innovation: indeed, the European Commission awarded the city as the 2020 European Capital of Innovation for its unique cooperation model — one that unites residents, institutions, and organisations and allows them to co-innovate, test, and apply groundbreaking solutions to fight climate change, foster the quality of life and education, and promote a sustainable, accessible, and inclusive mobility system.“

  4. Commuting upgrade: Brussels to Leuven cycling highway planned for 2025

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    Source: Mayor.eu, D. Balgaranov

    The new 16km highway (F29) will connect the two cities, providing a safer route for commuters to pursue more sustainable transportation options

    Recently announced by authorities in Belgium, a newly planned bicycle highway will connect the city of Leuven in Flanders to the country’s capital of Brussels. Many in the region already make the journey between the two cities as a part of their daily commute, thus, the project is likely to be positively received.

    The Flemish government aims to make the journey between the cities safer and faster, with construction starting next year and managed by The Werkvennootschap, a public works company. Additionally, the highway will link to the planned Brussels cycling ring, further connecting the wider city.

    Cycling Highways – a growing trend

    Bicycle highways have caught the attention of many governing bodies as of late, with projects announced across multiple regions. The infrastructure aims to handle the growing number of cycling commuters in a safe, efficient way. And, although most cities still do not have enough bike traffic to warrant the massive development, as Munich’s Deputy Mayor Katrin Habenschaden explained in a statement in May 2022: “If you sow cycling highways, you get cyclists.”