Research at Mobiel 21 for greater insight and impact
Measuring is knowing. Also when it comes to mobility. Here, four colleagues give their take on Mobiel 21's unique research approach. They tell who they work with, why citizen science is so important and which examples they like to share with the outside world. Would you like to conduct research on mobility topics? Then we are ready for you too.
Who does Mobiel 21 actually conduct research for?
Sam Delespaul, Researcher at Mobiel 21: We have been researching a variety of topics for years. From cycling behaviour to mobility poverty. Sometimes those studies stem from a concrete request from a municipality, province or Flemish administration. Sometimes they are part of a European project. And sometimes we put a study on the agenda ourselves, because we see that something is going on in society or repeatedly hear the same concerns from citizens, policymakers, companies or partners. Then we ask ourselves the question: Can we objectify this? Can we find a substantiated answer? I am thinking, for example, of a recent survey on local, often polarising mobility measures, which we conducted on our own initiative in the run-up to the 2024 local elections.
How does such a research project get off the ground next?
Sam: Sometimes a project starts with a client who has a clear question, and we work out an approach together. In other cases, we take the lead: we identify a challenge or issue, bring stakeholders together, work out a research design and choose appropriate research methods.
Eva De Vrij, Project Manager Citizen Participation & Mobility Poverty: At Mobiel 21, our research always starts from the human perspective. Because mobility systems and public spaces should serve the citizen. That is why we involve citizens in our research. And we always try to build bridges between what people experience on the street and what is decided at the policy table.
What research methods do you use?
Sam: We work with a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods. These include interviews, focus groups, participatory traffic counts, online and offline surveys, and even customer journey mapping, a method originally from marketing and product development research.
Eva: We always adapt our methods to the target group and context. In Ghent, we analysed customised transport through interviews, surveys, focus groups and user data. For our research on the feeling of insecurity of cycling mums in Leuven, we used customer journey mapping, to understand how mums experience their daily cycling routes. In the VeloCircular project, we are working with a university on a complex choice experiment on circular bicycle parts.
Do you also send citizens to investigate on their own?
Elke: Yes! For us, citizens are not just study objects, but experts. Using citizen science tools like PING and Telraam, we let people, from adults to small children, collect data about their living environment themselves. But it doesn't stop there: we make sure they also help think, analyse and formulate recommendations. This creates insights that are not only scientifically based, but also supported by the community. This not only results in better measures, but also greater understanding and support.
What makes your approach unique?
Elke Franchois, Project Leader Citizen Science: Our approach is low-threshold. We don't shy away from going to a playground, at a community centre or in a service centre to talk to people who rarely show up in traditional surveys, for example about their use of shared mobility. Precisely because we are not a university or a study agency, people are more likely to open their doors to us.
Glenn Godin, Project Leader School Mobility & Parking Policy: We are also good at making translations: from academic models to clear policy recommendations, and from raw data to comprehensible insights. For instance, we ensured that a complex model on job accessibility, developed by the University of Antwerp, also became understandable for local governments that have to work with it.
What happens after the examination?
Sam: Research is not an end, but a starting point. We deliver clear reports, and also translate them into public-oriented communication, concrete recommendations and, where possible, action. The research on cycling mums, for instance, led to the "VIPs on bikes" action, in which we raised widespread awareness of the importance of safe cycling routes for young families.
Glenn: Policymakers and local authorities also naturally take up our research results and insights, for instance to adjust their mobility policies or make school environments safer.
Finally, how relevant is research in times of fake news and polarisation?
Each: People are looking for gripes. Everyone can have an opinion, but many people also feel that gut feeling is not always enough. Our research offers a way to objectify feelings, with sound methods and data from in the field.
Sam: Important for researchers in this respect is to be transparent. About the science-based methods you use. About the independent way you collect, analyse and interpret data. We also look critically at our own research results, and are always open to feedback from external experts. This enables us to give policymakers and other stakeholders reliable advice, even in times of 'alternative facts'.
Also need research? We carry it out.
Mobiel 21 is a strong partner for anyone who wants to explore a mobility issue in depth: from cities, municipalities, and provinces to citizens, businesses, and other organizations. We always approach your inquiry with a human-centered approach, for greater insight and impact.
Questions about Mobiel 21's research approach? We're happy to provide you with more information.
Related insights
7 in 10 care facilities have bicycles for residents
Mobiel 21 investigated what role cycling plays in Flemish care facilitiesn 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.
Download results of survey "Cycling in healthcare facilities"
What role does cycling play in care facilities for the elderly or people with disabilities? Discover the results of our survey.
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. Autonomous mobility should be the norm. Everywhere!