The phenomenon of 'hitchhiking' is reminiscent of a cardboard sign with a destination on it and a hitchhiker with a thumbs up.
There are six F'kes lift columns in the Kempen. On that column you can indicate where you want to go and then wait on a bench until someone gives you a lift. Hitchhiking, an age-old way of traveling, is making a modern comeback in the Kempen, where the 'F'kes Ride Along' project brings travelers and motorists together. This initiative, launched in the municipalities of Eersel, Bladel, Reusel-De Mierden and Bergeijk, introduces lift columns – contemporary versions of bus shelters, specially designed for lifts. This not only meets the sustainable travel needs of citizens, but also promotes social interaction and a sense of community.
“In addition to less busy roads, healthier air and cost savings, it is also an enrichment to have a conversation with a fellow villager. Elevators connect.”
These lift columns, spread across villages such as Hulsel, Hoogeloon, Wintelre, Knegsel, Weebosch and Luyksgestel, are not just a nostalgic nod to the past. They are strategically positioned in villages with strong social cohesion, where people are more likely to know each other. This not only improves the ease with which people offer or accept a lift, but also increases safety, a crucial aspect of this project.
Would you like to know more about F'kes riding or do you think it could also be interesting in your municipality? Please contact the project leader of F'kes ride-along, Eline Swinkels.
The lift columns in the Kempendorpen are part of the F'kes Ride-along initiative, set up by the Brainport Bereikbaar mobility program. With the availability from 06:30 AM to 22:30 PM daily, these columns offer a practical and eco-friendly travel option for adults. Users can indicate their destination via a ticker above the column, after which motorists can stop to take them along. This system not only emphasizes the importance of spontaneity and adventure in everyday life, but also the importance of responsibility and safety. Users are encouraged to remain vigilant, follow their intuition and, in case of discomfort, terminate the ride.
young children
However, this approach has limitations. It is not recommended to let children hitchhike with strangers and the system is not reliable enough for those who need to be punctual to work or appointments. Nevertheless, 'F'kes Ride Along' offers an innovative, social and sustainable solution to mobility problems in rural areas, with an emphasis on a sense of community and environmental responsibility.
Photo: © Brainport Bereikbaar
