Ride and buy app for slow mobility

Slow mobility is supported in Hannut (BE) by a Ride and Buy App in combination with different strategies: 

• A secure biking network linking all the areas of the municipality with the city centre. 

• The Ride and Buy App gives users EUR 10 for every 1 000 km cycled to spend in city centre shops. 

• Any citizen who buys an electric bike is given EUR 150  towards the cost.  

• People have the opportunity to test an electric bike for 2 months before buying one. 

In early 2020, when young students in Hannut marched for climate action, encouraged by the example of Greta Thunberg, the General Head of the city organised meetings with them. After several weeks, three students were chosen to work with the city authorities over several months. They agreed on an action to both reduce CO2 emissions and support local retailers and food producers. The resulting smartphone app rewards good practices. Its creation was financed with the help of the regional Wallonian authority. 

The impact of the app was strengthened by investing in a secure cycling network to enable students to cycle to school. Every Wednesday, from spring to autumn, ‘school cycling buses’ are organised to encourage pupils to go to school by bike, with parents joining to ensure safety.  A further step was achieved with the creation of a network of safe cycling paths  from each of the 17 villages around the city towards the city centre. To complete the Ride and Buy App approach, electric bikes can be borrowed for two months, so any citizen can test them before buying one, and an amount of EUR 150 is then offered to reduce the cost. 

The Ride and Buy App project in Hannut was initiated by 16-year-old students. They were supported by the city authorities, their teachers (Athénée Royal Secondary School) and parents.

In addition: 

• The regional authority of Wallonia financially supported the app. 

• A private company spent many months creating the app using an "Agile" Methodology.  

• Local retailers also took part by agreeing to be paid with the scheme’s EUR 10 tickets funded by the municipality. 

Since Ride and Buy App started: 

• It has enabled a decrease of 15 000 CO2 kg in the atmosphere. 

• More than 112 000 km has been cycled by 670 users. 

• Around 800 cheques distributed and paid to local retailers. 

• Every Wednesday, from spring to autumn, up to 70 pupils go to school by bike. 

• To date, 70 km of safe and secure cycle paths constructed from the city centre to surrounding villages. 

In Belgium, Hannut is the only city operating a digital app to supporting both its local economy and environmental goals. Therefore, media interest has been high. It has also contributed to a sense of pride within the wider community. 

The Ride and Buy App good practice in Hannut is relevant for any European city. It is a good example of bottom-up decision-making, and a good application of everday technology to improve city life. Moreover, cycling links improve urban connectivity, and promote sustainability and inclusion. 

Furthermore: 

• The Ride and Buy App is a good way to support local retailers. 

• Transferability is facilitated by the creation of the app using an "Open Source" methodology, to make sure it can be used elsewhere. 

• Hannut, as a city of only 17 500 inhabitants, made the practice a reality, so it could be done in most municipalities in Europe, all that is needed is the knowledge of the strategies and the politiclal engagement. 

• It is an innovative use of digital tools for sustainability in urban development and for citizens’ quality of life. 

The approach has been presented many times in Belgium, with some cities replicating it in Wallonia, and is now gaining wider recognition.