A BIKE TAXI IN TILBURG IS A CLASSIC CASE OF ECO-TOURISM AND MOBILITY

It say’s ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ and Theo Smeele is applying this theory in real life situation to emerge as an entrepreneur with a bike taxi business in Tilburg city after being fired from his job.

Fiets Taxi Tours Tilburg:

Theo Smeele is a 61-year-old resident of Tilburg city in the south of Netherlands. Theo started the bike taxi service called ‘Fiets Taxi Tours Tilburg’ to transport people in 2014. His visually striking bike taxi is also used for immersive guided tours capturing street art, history and nature. The bike taxi adds a charm to special events, festivals and marriages making the occasion more memorable for the users. It’s a sustainable way of moving around and exploring the city with custom curated guided tours by Theo.

Motivation for change:

Theo was looking to start a venture around cycling which aligns with his interest area and after being released from his full time job, he thought this could be the best time to begin. A decade later, several people have not only used his services but also realised the tremendous opportunities’s a bike taxi brings to the cities culture. It is visible during festivals in town and people find it attractive while supporting his livelihood. However, Theo say’s ‘on regular days, the bike taxi service is a small business and has less visibility in the larger scheme of things.’

A decade of popularity:

Theo say’s ‘My most popular tour is the one in which I show and tell stories of the cities past and bring them also to the “nature” at the boundaries of the municipality. People enjoy the ride and we love the reactions of the public outside of the bike. Last week, we made the difference for some people in getting home in time or not: a spontaneous encounter with us made it possible to fetch the last bus or train. And those people expressed their gratitude. Such instances boost the spirit of friendships and people appreciate these unique services available to them in Tilburg. I had many such encounters in the past filled with spontaneous conversations with passengers and these are the true memories.’

With Theo Smeele outside Tilburg railway station.

Bike Taxi versus other forms of mobility:

Bike taxi’s can drive where taxi’s and buses are not allowed to go. They are pollution free and calmer and blends perfectly with the quite neighbourhoods. Theo say’s ‘I offer a queen-like experience where people are visible and react to the outer world: they sometimes experience an urge to wave and I encourage such gestures. In a bike taxi, you sit and relax, you don’t have to do anything you would do while walking or cycling or driving and this gives people a special sensation, they notice more. With elderly people this works on their memory as we are not rushing, they have time for all the sensations the city gives them: the confrontation with locations of their youth etc. It brings up stories of times long gone. Very rewarding!’

Theo plans to design more street art tours and specifically around one artist. We wish him the best for his future projects and urge all our readers to experience bike taxi tours on your next trip to Europe.

Visit: https://fietstaxitourstilburg.nl