Ghent is not only this year's host city for Velo-city, but was also awarded Cycling City 2024 by the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Studies. This is great recognition, as the city council is putting a lot of effort into promoting bicycle culture. At The Cycling Embassy of Ghent, everything revolves around bicycle promotion in Ghent. Bicycle ambassadors Jan Vanhee and Thomas Apers explain which bicycle facilities make Ghent a true cycling city.
A diverse city requires a wide range of services
Ghent is not only a popular student city, it is also a tourist attraction and an attractive place to live and work. That calls for a wide range of cycling services with something for everyone. Jan Vanhee, coordinator of bicycle rental and repair: Students are an important target group for The Cycling Embassy of Ghent. In collaboration with the colleges and UGent we offer them bike rental and repair at advantageous rates. Thomas Apers, responsible Bike Points: We have a fleet of over 9,000 bikes, including a lot of e-bikes and outsized models such as cargo bikes, longtail bikes and tandems. Companies and larger groups can also come to us for rental bikes and bike repair.
4 strategic Bike Points for an optimal cycling experience
Thomas: We ensure that Ghent residents and visitors to Ghent have easy access to a bicycle and bicycle facilities. For example, we have 4 strategically located Fietspunten for bicycle rental and repair. With our wide range of rentals, cyclists of all ages can come to us. We deliberately choose long opening hours so that people can come to us outside work and school hours. Two Bike Points are located at the main train stations in Ghent, so that commuters can easily reach them. After all, public transport and the bicycle together form a sustainable tandem.
Air, grease and accessories
Jan: In addition to the Bike Points, we provide smaller tools and actions that increase the comfort of cyclists. For example, public bicycle pumps and vending machines for purchasing small bicycle accessories such as lights or bicycle locks. We also do regular "air and grease" actions. Then we stand at busy bike stations and pamper cyclists with inflated tires and lubricated chains.
Bicycle parking: a safe place for every kind of bicycle
Jan: In recent years, the City of Ghent invested in a lot of bicycle parking facilities, both above and below ground. The Fietsambassade manages these stands and car parks: we provide clear signage, a well thought-out design with enough space for outsized bikes and continuous maintenance.
Recup parts and used bikes in the Bicycle Depot
Thomas: abandoned and vacated bikes end up in our Bicycle Depot, where the owner is given 3 months to retrieve the bike. Unclaimed and donated bikes are put on point and sold second-hand or recovered for parts. In this way, we bring a nice range of circular used bicycles and recup accessories to the market. In the process, we maximize social employment and train new colleagues at our own Bidon training center.
Everyone on a bike in an inclusive cycling culture
Jan: Inclusion is a core value at The Cycling Embassy of Ghent. This is not only felt in our HR policy, but also in our services. We transport less mobile people with the Bike Taxi, show people how to cycle with the bicycle coach, organize cycling lessons and sell second-hand bicycles at preferential rates. A broad service with attention for everyone, that is the foundation of our cycling culture in Ghent.