Cycling School XS: Fight against mobility poverty starts with children
More and more children cannot cycle (properly). Fietsschool XS' low-threshold cycling lessons help to overcome this cycling deficit. With success. Because after four lessons, 75% of the participants achieve the expected cycling proficiency. Cycling school XS is thus a crucial step in the fight against mobility poverty.
More and more children can't ride bikes properly
For many children, cycling is a matter of course, but not for everyone. In Leuven, for example, as many as 8% of children aged 6 to 12 cannot ride a bike. This mainly affects children from vulnerable families, where the barriers to learning to ride a bike are high.
These are often families in which the parents themselves cannot, or cannot properly, cycle, do not have a suitable children's bike at home or do not have a safe place to practice. Busy car traffic also deters parents.
Bicycle backlog increases mobility poverty
It is a pity that more and more children cannot ride a bicycle properly, because being able to move freely is an essential condition for full participation in society. Also for children.
For instance, a lack of cycling skills in childhood has long-term consequences. Children who do not learn to cycle later experience difficulties getting to school, work or social activities independently. This leaves them dependent on their parents or public transport for longer, limiting their opportunities. This is precisely why eliminating bicycle arrears in children is an important step in the fight against mobility poverty.
Moreover, children who do not travel by bike are often brought by car. This again makes traffic busier and less inviting for cycling kids. A vicious circle... Cycling school XS tackles this problem.
What is Cycling School XS?
Cycling School XS is an initiative of The Cycling School that teaches children without cycling experience the necessary skills and supports parents in that process. This is done through:
- Low-threshold cycling classes for children from 6 to 12 years old
- Empowering parents so they can support their child's learning process
- Collaboration with schools and community operations to reach children who would otherwise not get the chance
The first Bike School XS lessons were made possible with support from Greenpeace Belgium's Healthy Air Fund.
How does it work?
In 2023 and 2024, Cycling School XS organised five series of lessons in Leuven. Each series consisted of four two-hour lessons, given on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons at locations such as Blauwputplein and primary school playgrounds. The lessons were adapted to the age of the children:
- 1st and 2nd grade: Basic skills such as getting on, riding straight and slalom.
- 3rd and 4th grade: More complex techniques such as indicating direction and looking around.
- 5th grade: Safe cycling on the street, under supervision.
- 6th grade: Cycling safely on the street, independently.
Parents as key to success
Parents play a crucial role in the learning process. During the lessons, they observed how their children learn cycling and were given practical tips for further practice at home. In addition, Fietsschool XS also offers them workshops on traffic rules and road safety.
Practical support
Schools and community associations help direct participants to the lessons. For families without a bicycle, VELOKadee provides children's bicycles. At the end of the lesson series, children also receive a diploma and a goodie bag including bicycle lights to motivate them to keep cycling.
Een succesvolle aanpak
Together against mobility poverty: every child on a bike!
Cycling School XS shows that we can fight the battle against mobility poverty from an early age. Cycling is and will continue to be an important lever in that fight. By collaborating with schools, community networks and parents, we can ensure that every child - regardless of background - has the opportunity to cycle independently and confidently. This opens the door to a future with more freedom and opportunities.
Get involved and help every child on a bike!
Related insights
What data from Cycling School Leuven teach us about the success of cycling lessons
What factors ensure that a person can actually cycle after a series of cycling lessons? Which factors increase the chances of success? Cycling School examined five years of data from cycling courses in Leuven and mapped out for the first time what really counts.
What makes research by Mobiel 21 so unique?
Mobiel 21 conducts mobility research that translates social signals and policy questions into concrete action points. Cycling behaviour, mobility poverty or support for local mobility measures? Together with citizens, policymakers, companies and all kinds of other organisations, we arrive at new insights. In an accessible and people-oriented way. Discover how we work.
Safe school environments and routes
Children deserve a safe journey to school. We work with schools, parents, local authorities and pupils to create safer routes, reduce traffic pressure and promote active travel in the school environment.