As part of "BELGIUM BUILDS BACK CIRCULAR" (BBBC), a programme of investment projects promoting the circular economy, we find out about OP WIELEKES, the winner in the bike category. Their project has developed significantly over the last ten years, but has always been driven by their mission and vision of circularity.
How Did it All Begin?
Op Wielekes' story is complex but fascinating! The idea came about on a visit to the attic, where Lieven D'hont found his children's bikes and those of his brothers and sisters - 7 bikes for 5 people. He tells us:
"When I looked at them [the bikes] and saw they'd been there for at least 15 years, I thought we could do better. It wasn't right to keep them until the next generation, our children, were ready to use them."
After careful consideration, and by working closely with professional and institutional partners, the idea took shape with the assistance of the federal programme "Belgium Builds Back Circular" (BBBC), managed by the FPS Public Health. Financed by the European NextGenerationEU programme, this support enabled Op Wielekes to expand its activities, forge new partnerships and refine its circular model. The project is part of the federal government's broader strategy to extend and accelerate the circular transition in Belgium and encourage the sustainable use of materials.
As Easy as Riding a Bike!
This project, based on sharing and simplicity, is actually a children's bike library.
Through a subscription system, parents can borrow a quality bike that matches their child's age (from 2 to 12), which they can then swap for a more suitable bike as their child grows. Simple, economical and no more attic bike collections!
The library uses a donation system and highlights the accessibility of volunteering. Indeed, volunteers play a key role, handling a range of tasks including managing departures, swaps and donations, maintenance and repairs, etc. They are also the face of the warehouse for its members. Their commitment is essential to the project's success.
What started out as an experiment is now a Flemish network with almost 35 warehouses, some 4,000 members and over 5,000 bikes! The concept is being developed in Wallonia, under the name Tata Biciclette, where two bike libraries are now operational in Mons and Jodogne.
Sharing as a Driver of Circular and Social Impact
Another key success factor is the commitment of Op Wielekes and their partners* to focus on their mission rather than profit.
The bike library aligns with the principles of the circular economy, where the starting point is the efficient use of raw materials and products. As Lieven D'hont explains: "Making a product accessible to as many users as possible ensures efficient use of materials while users also take better care of the product.
By reusing donated children's bikes and relying on volunteers, the project is building a strong community network, with obvious environmental benefits and added social value. The fundamental circular economy strategy of shared use naturally leads to other circular strategies, such as repair, maintenance, design and recycling."
This approach works locally, but can also be widely applied in other regions or contexts, provided that the focus is on simple processes and cooperation with local stakeholders.
Growing Together Through Circularity
Op Wielekes also stresses the importance of sharing knowledge between circular entrepreneurs. As a partner in the Green Deal Huren en Delen (Green Deal Rental and Sharing), an initiative by Vlaanderen Circulair and WijDelen, the project helps to exchange experiences and good practices in the rental and sharing market. By taking part in workshops and networking events, entrepreneurs work together to find solutions to common challenges. According to Op Wielekes, this unity is vital: "The key is to connect interdependent companies that focus on material efficiency." Op Wielekes firmly believes that joining forces is essential in the transition to a circular economy.
