Bredene (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Students’ bicycles at Don Bosco School in Bredene/De Haan were checked 1st time using a new app under West Flanders’ “Mandatory Lights” campaign. Governor Carl Decaluwe highlighted that one-third had technical defects.
As VRT News reported, students at Don Bosco School in Bredene, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, had their bicycles checked today, Oct 14, 2025, as part of a new digital initiative. The inspection is part of the province of West Flanders’ “Mandatory Lights” campaign.
They mentioned that the campaign aims to ensure that students are visible, safe, and properly equipped during the darker months. Police officers checked bicycles for working lights, reflectors, and overall safety. This year’s check is the first to use a new app created by Vives University of Applied Sciences and commissioned by the province.
What is the West Flemish app changing bicycle checks in Bredene?
The app allows officers to record defects digitally. It is linked to the email addresses of students’ parents. If a problem is found with a bicycle, parents are notified immediately so the issue can be fixed. Governor Carl Decaluwe said last year the checks were still done with pen and paper, but the system was outdated.
Authorities confirmed that everything has since been approved. Parents can choose whether to participate in the project. Children whose parents opted out for privacy reasons can still have their bicycles checked, but their families will not receive a digital notification.
The Bredene/De Haan district is the first to test the app, and other police districts in West Flanders are expected to adopt it in the future. Governor Decaluwe stressed the necessity of the bicycle checks. Last year, 1 in 3 bicycles had technical defects. In most cases, the problem was with the lights.
Belgium has seen several bicycle safety campaigns in recent years, but the digital approach is new. Many Flemish cities and police districts have long checked bicycles for lights, brakes, and reflectors. In 2023, Ghent carried out traditional inspections in schools as part of its “Safe Cycling” program. Officers checked bikes by hand and gave students advice on safety. These campaigns aimed to reduce accidents and keep young cyclists properly equipped.
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