Leuven has proven that a city does not have to be big to realize great ideas.
Mainly known as a student city and home to the oldest university in Belgium, Leuven adds a new title to its list: a forerunner in shared mobility. The city has made great strides in promoting car sharing in recent years and has recently expanded its offerings with new partners such as Poppy and Dégage.
One of the main draws in Leuven's car-sharing project is the convenience and flexibility it offers to its residents. With services like Poppy, where you can take a car and leave it wherever you want, it's easier than ever to take a ride without the obligations of car ownership. Dégage goes one step further by offering a platform where individuals can share their car with neighbours.
Leuven is not a newcomer when it comes to car sharing. The city already has more than 200 shared cars in circulation, both on a private and commercial basis. This has produced impressive results: more than 4.700 families and companies use shared cars and the number of car sharers has increased by 55% in four years.
In addition to families, local businesses also see the benefits of car sharing. Many companies have given up their own parking spaces in favor of shared car subscriptions for their employees. This not only contributes to the company culture around sustainability, but also leads to significant cost savings.
The efforts have not gone unnoticed. Last year, Leuven received the 'Every neighborhood shares' award for its proactive role in stimulating car sharing. Alderman of Mobility David Dessers is optimistic about the future. “We recognize Poppy and Dégage as new car sharing organizations in our city to increase the offer. Each of these services has a unique approach and appeals to different target groups.”
"We are starting a one-and-a-half-year pilot project with both Poppy and Dégage. In the coming months we will see whether the offer is successful and we will check the impact and use of the vehicles"
As part of the pilot project, the cars will receive a parking card that allows users to park unlimitedly in the blue and paying zones. According to Dessers, one of the biggest benefits of car sharing is that it helps to make better use of public space. “A shared car replaces about ten private cars. That means more space for recreation and less parking pressure,” he explains.
Leuven is still in a year and a half trial period to evaluate how well the new services are received and what the impact will be on car ownership in the city. But with such a robust and diverse offering, the future of car sharing in Leuven looks promising.
poppy
Poppy Mobility is already present in Brussels, Antwerp, Mechelen, Ghent and Liège and the Belgian airports and from tomorrow, September 1, also in Leuven with 35 vehicles. It is about a mix of vehicle types. If Poppy catches on in Leuven, the range may eventually be expanded to 60 cars. A special feature of Poppy is that you can take and leave the cars at most of the public parking spaces. It is also possible to start a trip in Leuven and end it in one of the other cities and airports where Poppy is active.
“Poppy wants to give every resident of Leuven access to a car without all the disadvantages of car ownership or the limitations of shared cars with fixed standing places,” explains Pierre de Schaetzen, CMO of Poppy Mobility. “You take the nearest car, which you can leave at most of the public parking lots, in Leuven and in all other cities and airports where we are present.”
Clear
Dégage is a sharing platform where private individuals can share their car or (cargo) bicycle with other Dégage members. Car costs can be high, but for an owner, getting rid of the car is sometimes a bridge too far. By sharing your car, your car is less stationary, you share the costs and you can continue to use your car. For every kilometer someone else drives the car, the owner will be reimbursed costs. Users pay a mileage allowance based on the actual cost of the car.
Eline Snacken of Dégage: “Dégage is pleased with the recognition by the city of Leuven. Thanks to the parking cards, our shared cars can now be a worthy alternative to the private car. Dégage is an accessible way of car sharing for a city or municipality. We are convinced that the collaboration with the city of Leuven strengthens our mission. Dégage does not strive for profit, but for liveable and social neighbourhoods.”
