With naarjobs.be and velopark.be, commuting by bike is a breeze

At Nazka Mapps, we have developed two successful initiatives in the field of sustainable mobility: velopark.be and naarjobs.be.

Velopark.be maps out all bike parking facilities in Belgium and makes this information accessible to everyone via open data. This allows app developers and route planners to use the data to improve their services. Cities, municipalities, and parking operators utilize Velopark to inventory and manage their bike parking facilities. Together with Fietsberaad and many other partners, Nazka develops the digital tools and data systems that make this possible.

Naarjobs.be shows job seekers that their ideal job is often closer than they think. By bike, bus, or train? Or maybe by car? The platform literally maps out all job vacancies across Flanders, helping job seekers, job coaches, and employers find the most accessible jobs. For this project, Nazka Mapps collaborates with Mobiel21.

The “Shift Your Mobility” initiative by the Federal Public Service Mobility was the perfect opportunity to further strengthen these two projects and introduce them to a wider audience. Therefore, we decided to submit two project proposals.

The jury was impressed by the innovative approach and added value of both projects. They were selected as examples of impactful and innovative projects that can convince people to opt for sustainable modes of transport more often.

Velopark focuses further on the automation and exchange of data with platforms like OpenStreetMap, NMBS (Belgian Rail), and De Lijn (public transport). Additional attention is given to multimodal travel and bike parking for commuters. Through a campaign, we aim to increase awareness of Velopark's linked open data and digital tools among local governments and bike parking operators. The integration with applications like Slim Naar Antwerpen or Hoppin, which can incorporate bike parking, will also be further developed.

Naarjobs, on the other hand, focuses on enhancing the user experience for different target audiences. The platform will get a fresh look with specific tools for job seekers, job coaches, and employers.

• The platform allows job seekers to easily find suitable job openings within their travel time and with the most efficient transport options of their choice. They also gain insights into the mobility benefits that prospective employers offer.
• For job coaches, employment agencies, or career counselors, it is a handy tool to overcome mobility barriers and help job seekers quickly find work.
• As an employer, you can attract new talent by highlighting your mobility perks, such as bike leasing or train subscriptions, along with your accessibility. These extras can persuade job seekers to choose your organization.

Figure: Mockup of the new landing page for Naarjobs.be

Through a comprehensive and targeted communication plan, the platform’s practical features will be promoted to various target groups. Additionally, the data flow will be further automated, and scaling from Flanders to Belgium will be explored.

The more people consider their commuting options when choosing a job or planning their multimodal trips, the more sustainable their commuting will become—and they’ll experience the benefits firsthand. It is therefore crucial that the government also supports such projects to get them off the ground.

A part of both projects velopark.be and naarjobs.be is realised by the support of FOD Mobility and Transport in the frame of the Shift Your Mobility Program.