Ghent calls on public to report abandoned bikes
A new digital platform will help free up space in parking facilities by flagging up orphan bicycles in Ghent
Locked and left
The number of people using bicycles in Ghent is growing, and so, too, is the number of machines being abandoned. In 2019 an astonishing 4,298 abandoned bicycles were collected by Fietsambassade, an agency that encourages cycling in the city.
Bikes left by the side of the road or in other public spaces can quickly become a nuisance, trapping litter. But the city is just as concerned about bikes abandoned in parking facilities, where they take up space that could be used by active cyclists.
Ghent's bike parks are cleared from time to time, usually for maintenance or because of an event, but the number of orphan bikes can quickly build up. “The app will allow Fietsambassade to remove bicycles left behind faster, so there will be space for other cyclists to park their bicycles,” said Filip Watteeuw, the city councillor responsible for mobility. “And the easier it is for cyclists, the more they’ll be inclined to cycle.”
Bicycles in good working order will first be labelled so that the owners have a chance to remove them
Reported bikes that are clearly broken will be taken away immediately and junked. Bicycles in good working order will first be labelled so that the owners have a chance to remove them. If this has not happened within three weeks, these bikes will be removed and stored for collection for a further three months, before finally being disposed of.
Rather than design a new app for abandoned bicycles, the city has opened up the existing Meldingsapp to bike reports. This app was designed so that people could flag up illegal dumping and is available free of charge from the Google Play store or the iOS app store. Abandoned bikes can also be reported via the Fietsambassade website or by telephone to 09 266 77 00.
Meanwhile, the City of Ghent and the Fietsambassade plan a communication campaign to raise awareness about bicycle dumping. There will also be a pilot project to test collection points for unused bicycles.
Photo ©Mariia Skovpen/Getty Images
