7 in 10 Flemish care facilities have bicycles for residents
Mobiel 21 investigated what role cycling plays in Flemish care facilities today. Our survey shows a lot of enthusiasm for cycling with residents, but also thresholds. Through Shared Cycling Pleasure, we are working on solutions so that everyone - regardless of age or disability - can enjoy cycling pleasure.
Everyone on bikes
Cycling is more than just mobility. It also means keeping healthy exercise and getting among people socially. Yet it is not always obvious for elderly people and people with physical or mental disabilities to (continue to) cycle.
Through Shared Cycling Fun, Mobiel 21 wants to change this. This initiative takes less mobile people on bicycle tours, using adapted bicycles such as rickshaws or wheelchair bikes. Meanwhile, there are already several local initiatives with adapted bicycles in Flanders, often led by care facilities, welfare organisations or senior citizens' associations.
Where are opportunities, possibilities and difficulties?
Shared Cycling Pleasure's mission is to enable as many people as possible to enjoy enjoyable bike rides. Even target groups for whom this is a challenge. To fulfil this mission and to map out the opportunities, possibilities and difficulties in getting everyone on their bikes, Mobiel 21 conducted a survey among Flemish care facilities. The survey measured the presence of bicycles, how they are used and whether or not they are shared with others.
Dozens of organisations, from residential care centres and facilities for people with disabilities to mental health care institutions, completed our online questionnaire. That response yielded a lot of interesting insights about the place bicycles have within their operations.
The results in a nutshell
- Bicycle ownership: 71% of facilities have a bicycle for residents. The pillion bicycle is the most popular, followed by the tricycle, the ordinary bicycle and the wheelchair platform bicycle. In 29% of facilities, there is no bicycle at all. The vast majority of these facilities indicate that purchasing a bicycle is simply too expensive.
- Bicycle use: Where bicycles are present, they are widely used and regularly ride out. If bicycles do stand idle, it is mainly due to staff time constraints or a shortage of drivers (often also staff, or volunteers).
- Bike sharing: Only 27% of facilities share their bikes with externals. 73% do not. Fear of damage and lack of user-friendly reservation systems play a role in this. Additional workload and ambiguities about insurance are also mentioned as barriers to sharing.
beschikt over een duofiets, maar 9% over een riksja
dacht nog niet na over het delen van die fiets
geeft aan dat de aankoopprijs van een fiets te hoog is
And now what? Moving forward together!
The results of the survey offer useful tools for anyone working towards more inclusive mobility. Indeed, the figures show a lot of enthusiasm within care facilities for cycling, but also room for further growth.
Mobiel 21 and partners such as G-sport Flanders therefore continue to support local initiatives with adapted bicycles, with training courses, inspiring examples and practical tips. Care facilities that do not yet have a bicycle, we help them on their way. Passengers or organisations looking for a bicycle to rent or borrow temporarily can visit the platform Gfietst.be. There you will find an accessible offer of adapted bicycles.
Have a question about Shared Cycling Fun, the survey or the results?
Our colleague and cycling expert, Ine Bosmans, will be happy to tell you more. Contact her using the form below.
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