Jacob Boonstra and Bram Harmsma, councilors for recreation and tourism in Westerveld and Steenwijkerland respectively, opened the first hub for bicycle sharing in the municipality of Westerveld on Thursday, October 19. This happened at the Holtingerveld Access Gate in Havelte. A hub has also been open at Brasserie Puur in Diever since Thursday.
These two hubs with electric bicycle sharing make it even easier for tourists, residents and travelers to rent a bicycle and explore the Westerveld area in a sustainable way. Renting the electric shared bicycles works via the Deelfiets Nederland app.
Councilor Jacob Boonstra is enthusiastic that the shared bicycle is now also available in the municipality of Westerveld: “Westerveld has the scoop: it is the first shared bicycles to come to Drenthe. Bicycle sharing has been a success in Steenwijkerland and we are therefore happy to expand to our municipality. For example, tourists can rent a bicycle at the Holtingerveld and go to the Weerribben-Wieden and return their rental bicycle there or vice versa. As far as I’m concerned, this is just the beginning: an extensive network in Westerveld and Drenthe offers visitors the opportunity to explore the entire area by bike.”
Councilor Bram Harmsma: “We think it’s great that the first hubs have been installed in the municipality of Westerveld. And we would like to congratulate the municipality of Westerveld on this. In Steenwijkerland we see that bicycle sharing is a success. More and more residents, tourists and travelers are using our bicycles. This expansion is a very welcome and important addition to our network. The more hubs, the greater the range. We are therefore also in discussions with other neighboring municipalities. The aim is to build one broad and sustainable network together, with shared bicycles that are interchangeable throughout the region.”
Connecting to the network
Other entrepreneurs in the tourism sector can also join the bicycle sharing network. A subsidy is available for entrepreneurs who want to offer a hub at their company. Entrepreneurs who are interested can contact the municipality of Westerveld and ask for the recreation and tourism policy officer.
The arrival of the shared bicycles was made possible in part with financing from the Zwolle Region Deal.