How can we raise awareness of mobility hubs among people who have never used them and do not have any experience with shared mobility either? This is the question Belgian shared mobility provider Mpact and the City of Leuven are tackling!
Project partners Mpact and the City of Leuven have created a concept called the ‘Hoppin Tour’ to raise awareness on mobility hubs. Instead of simply discussing shared mobility and hubs, they tested these services directly with the end users.
In collaboration with LIGO Leuven, an adult education centre, Mpact and the City of Leuven developed a proof of concept. A group of newcomers to Belgium participated in an interactive course about mobility hubs and shared mobility. Led by a LIGO instructor, the students explored different shared mobility options, the barriers they face, and which solutions might meet their mobility needs.
The students then took to the streets with project managers from Mpact and the City of Leuven to explore the 'Hoppin' mobility network. They began by testing cargo bikes and electric bikes, learning how to (un)lock them via an app. The group was then divided into small teams and toured Leuven’s mobility hubs, answering questions about the shared mobility options at each location.
The tour brought them to three ‘Hoppin’ mobility hubs: ‘Sint-Maartensdal,’ where they discussed car-sharing and parcel lockers; ‘Rector De Somerplein,’ focused on bike-sharing and local public transport; and finally, Leuven railway station, where they discovered a range of public and shared mobility options and learned about Fietspunt, an accessible and affordable bike repair service.
Mpact, the City of Leuven, and LIGO are pleased with this pilot, which allows exploring mobility hubs and shared mobility services in a fun, hands-on way. Despite the heavy rain on the day of the test, the students were enthusiastic, asking many questions about where to find hubs and how to use them. Their enthusiasm inspired the partners to continue developing this concept and organize a second pilot in the coming months!
Text drafted by Jelten Baguet
Copyright from pictures: Hilke Evenepoel
