State Secretary de Moor teaches asylum seekers how to cycle in Arendonk
Since this spring, De Fietsschool has been giving cycling lessons to asylum seekers and some local residents at the Arendonk reception centre. To this end, a traffic park was set up in the centre's courtyard. During about ten lessons, the participants learn the basic skills they need to ride a bike.
Cycling lesson at the shelter
For International Bike Day on 3 June, State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, jumped on her bike. She visited a BE CYCLE pilot project at the Arendonk reception centre that teaches asylum seekers how to cycle. She enthusiastically took part in the exercises there. As a finale, the participants take to the streets for practice rides.
With her visit in Arendonk, the State Secretary wants to highlight the development of cycling policy in Flemish and Brussels asylum centres. Learning to cycle safely is an essential part of integration.
Those who can cycle get from one point to another more easily. Cycling gives people more opportunities in the labour market, encourages participation in society and promotes integration.
Staatssecretaris voor asiel en migratie
BE CYCLE: more than just cycling lessons
The lessons of The Cycling School in Arendonk are part of the BE CYCLE project, which aims to teach asylum seekers in reception centres to cycle. Concretely, the project consists of five smaller pilot projects in the reception centres of Arendonk, Kapellen, Koksijde, Pelt and Wingene. The ambition is to teach at least 75 people to cycle in those centres. The insights and experiences from the pilot projects should eventually lead to the bicycle being given a structural place in Flemish and Brussels asylum centres.
BE CYCLE is financed by Fedasil and supported by De Fietsschool, Groep INTRO and HERW!N.
Besides cycling lessons, traffic rules, road safety and complex traffic situations are also covered. As well as bicycle maintenance and bicycle repair. The Cycling School is also an ideal place to practice your Dutch. We want to roll out this total approach in more reception centres.
Projectmedewerker bij Mobiel 21 en De Fietsschool
Hannelore Depypere
Would you like to volunteer to give cycling lessons in asylum centres? Or would you like to know more about BE CYCLE?
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.
Fighting transport poverty
Everyone has the right to move freely and participate in society. We support people facing transport disadvantages by identifying vulnerable groups, and seek to integrate equity into sustainable mobility.