From the Polders to the Flemish Ardennes: 100 Belgian Cycling Clubs Are Now Using Cyql
The sound of a skipping chain and the smell of tiger balm. That is the same everywhere in the world, whether you cycle in the Canadian woods or the Belgian Ardennes. Our roots lie in the Dutch polders, where more than 500 clubs now use Cyql. We work closely there with federations like the KNWU and NTFU who support cycling clubs in their digital toolbox.
But lately, the Belgian peloton has joined the breakaway. Belgium is now one of the most popular Cyql countries. Out of the 5,000 clubs that use Cyql worldwide, hundreds come from Belgium. It makes sense. In a country where racing is a religion, Sunday morning is sacred. If you are not “stoemping” against the wind yourself, you are probably watching the race with a coffee.
The Global Peloton: Belgium in the Lead
Research shows that Belgium is currently one of the fastest growing cycling countries:
- The Biggest Grower: Cycling use in Belgium recently rose by 41%. This is the highest increase in all of Europe.
- Investments: Flanders ranks second in Europe for investments in cycle paths per inhabitant.
- World Class: Belgium is consistently in the top 10 of most active cycling countries in the world.
The Belgian Organization: How is it Structured?
Cycling in Belgium is organized at an “interfederal” level. Belgian Cycling is at the top, but the daily work happens at the regional branches: Cycling Vlaanderen, the VWB (Flemish Cyclists’ Union), and the FCWB. While these federations take care of insurance and official races, the clubs must handle the paperwork themselves. That is where Cyql comes in. We help clubs combine the rules of the federation simply with the fun of the weekly club ride.
100 Belgian Clubs: A Milestone for Cyql
Last week we celebrated a wonderful milestone: the 100th Belgian club signed up for Cyql! This includes clubs with road cyclists who brave the cobblestones, but also mountain bikers who make the Ardennes singletracks unsafe. The need for structure and digitalization is visible everywhere. Especially within the MTB community, we see that Cyql has become an essential tool to organize rides and events smoothly. The result? Less stress for the organization and more focus on what we cyclists love most: mud on the shins and the wind in our faces.
Why Belgian Clubs Choose Cyql: Less Admin, More Racing
We know that the secretary is often the silent hero who spends hours behind a laptop. Cyql is there to give that hero back his Sunday morning.
Ride Organization: No chaotic conversations in WhatsApp groups. Plan your A, B, and C groups simply and clearly. No more “where are we meeting?” at 8 am. Everyone has the GPX on their Garmin. Also, last minute changes can be sent via notifications to the phones of the participants.
Waivers and Liability: Belgian boards are rightly cautious. Our digital waivers ensure that everyone has signed before departure. This way, you sleep much better as a board member.
Paid Rides and Tours: Does the club organize a tour to fill the treasury for those sharp new jerseys? The platform handles registrations and payments automatically.
Member Management: Forget those dusty Excel lists. Switch to a modern, digital, and GDPR proof member overview with a built-in cycling club membership fee module.