FietsFAN
24054
From 2025 to 2027
FietsFAN is investigating how cycling can help get long-term unemployed people in North Limburg back into work. Through three local pilot schemes and a thorough evaluation, the project is assessing the social, economic, and health benefits of cycling as a means of achieving sustainable employment.
Flanders must boost its employment rate to safeguard its prosperity. This employment rate is currently lowest among the low-skilled: this is therefore where the greatest potential lies for increasing the employment rate. However, it is precisely this group that finds it most difficult to access good transport, due to limited access to car mobility and a lack of (high-quality) public transport. This problem also arises in North Limburg. The bicycle may offer part of the solution here.
FietsFAN is therefore investigating how the bicycle, as a simple, affordable, and healthy lever, can contribute to better labour mobility. The project ties in with the broader learning ecosystem in North Limburg, which focuses on areas such as digitalisation, care, repair, and technology. For example, the existing bicycle workshop in Pelt is being further developed as a real-life learning context.
Through three local pilot schemes, FietsFAN is testing how cycling can make a tangible contribution to activation.
These pilot schemes focus on
TML is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the project. We analyse the impact of the pilots and clearly map out the social added value of the bicycle as an activation tool. We also ensure that intermediaries, jobseekers, and employers in other regions can apply the lessons from this project to increase employment rates there too. In this way, we provide evidence-based insights for forward-looking mobility and labour market policy. This policy can increase our activity rate and thus contribute to securing our future prosperity.
Flanders must boost its employment rate to safeguard its prosperity. This employment rate is currently lowest among the low-skilled: this is therefore where the greatest potential lies for increasing the employment rate. However, it is precisely this group that finds it most difficult to access good transport, due to limited access to car mobility and a lack of (high-quality) public transport. This problem also arises in North Limburg. The bicycle may offer part of the solution here.
FietsFAN is therefore investigating how the bicycle, as a simple, affordable, and healthy lever, can contribute to better labour mobility. The project ties in with the broader learning ecosystem in North Limburg, which focuses on areas such as digitalisation, care, repair, and technology. For example, the existing bicycle workshop in Pelt is being further developed as a real-life learning context.
Through three local pilot schemes, FietsFAN is testing how cycling can make a tangible contribution to activation.
These pilot schemes focus on
-
- raising awareness and providing information through coaching by programme supervisors,
- cycling education (mastering cycling skills), and
- bicycle leasing (providing reliable (electric) bicycles).
TML is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of the project. We analyse the impact of the pilots and clearly map out the social added value of the bicycle as an activation tool. We also ensure that intermediaries, jobseekers, and employers in other regions can apply the lessons from this project to increase employment rates there too. In this way, we provide evidence-based insights for forward-looking mobility and labour market policy. This policy can increase our activity rate and thus contribute to securing our future prosperity.
