Fighting transport poverty
Being able to move around is a fundamental right. Regardless of your situation, background, or physical abilities. That's why we put transport poverty on the political agenda, conduct research into affected groups and provide effective solutions that help people reach their destination.
What if you cannot reach your destination?
Being able to move freely is a basic right. Yet, not everyone has an easy time getting where they want or need to be.
Due to a lack of money, knowledge or skills, some people cannot easily get to work, to the store, to the sports club or to the doctor. These people live in transport poverty, which makes it harder for them to actively participate in society. In turn, this results in loneliness and social exclusion.
Transport poverty in all layers of society
It's not all about the money
Transport poverty, also known as mobility poverty, entails more than merely a lack of money to buy a car, petrol or a bus ticket. In other words, it is not the same as poverty in general.
People without financial problems can still experience transport poverty, for example because they live in an area with limited mobility services, because they have a disability that restricts their freedom of movement or because they lack the digital skills to buy a train ticket online. Limitations like these can also make people less mobile.
I went to the train station to buy tickets for a trip. It turned out the ticket counter closes at noon these days. Taking the train isn't easy when you can no longer buy physical tickets.
A complex problem, with many faces
Transport poverty has many faces, affects people from all walks of life and occurs in both urban and rural areas. Factors such as income, age, education level, health and place of residence all play a role. This makes transport poverty a complex problem, without simple solutions.
My husband lives in a residential care center. To get there, I have to take two different buses. That's not easy with my walker.
How do we fight transport poverty?
To ensure everyone gets to their destination, Mobiel 21 conducts research into the causes and effects of transport poverty. We help policymakers take transport poverty into account when they develop local mobility plans. We ask them to focus on accessible basic services, there where people live. Proximity is and remains the best mobility.
Moreover, we work with partners and volunteers to offer people the knowledge, skills and tools they need to move around more freely and flexibly. We, for instance, teach adults how to cycle in De Fietsschool (lit. The Cycling School) and provide less mobile people with the opportunity to enjoy cycling again through Shared Cycling Fun.
Activities about this theme
Webinar: Onderzoek duurzame mobiliteit bij 2.000 Vlamingen
Transport poverty in all walks of life
How does transport poverty manifest itself in the population? Which groups are most at risk? Research identifies the most vulnerable population groups and formulates recommendations to address transport poverty in a targeted way.
The digital mobility gap in Flanders
Not everyone is on board with the digital novelties in the mobility sector. There is a gap between different population groups in Flanders. Mobiel 21 investigated exactly what that digital mobility gap looks like.
BE CYCLE: The bicycle as a mobility solution in asylum centres
In the Fedasil project BE CYCLE, De Fietsschool is working with Groep Intro and HERW!N to develop a sustainable approach to cycling initiatives in Flemish and Brussels asylum centres.
