Good practice:

Cargobike Trendsportal – competition for citizens’ engagement in co-planning

The Municipality of Venlo purchased an electric cargo bike and have it labelled in the Trendsportal house style. This electric cargo bike was then used during the entire policy-making process to create attention and involvement with the citizens so that a first contact moment was created. The municipality discussed mobility issues with people in various ways and how they could make their own mobility more sustainable (for example by using the bicycle more often). People were invited to take a picture of themselves by bicycle and share it on social media with the remark how they envision mobility in the region in 2040. This generated traffic on social media, so the awareness grew and the municipality was able to reach and inform more people about Trendsportal. At the end of the policy-making process the municipality awarded the bike among the participants of the photo contest.

The purchase cost the (electric) cargo bike, which is approximately € 5000.

Thanks to this promotion, at least 400 people have provided more input for the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of the municipality.

The practice can be easily adopted by other regions/ cities, as it generates great results in citizens’ engagement with a small investment.