An initiative of the KRC Genk Foundation; bikes repaired at KRC Bicycle Atelier

An initiative of the KRC Genk Foundation; bikes repaired at KRC Bicycle Atelier

The KRC Genk Foundation opened the doors of the KRC Bicycle Atelier for the first time. There, supporters of Tribune Zuid (KRC Genk’s atmosphere stand) and people with community service will repair old bicycles from now on. The refurbished bikes will be donated to the KRC cycling school where the KRC Genk Foundation offers cycling lessons to adults.

“Within the club, we know the supporters from Tribune Zuid as a very committed group who are committed to Genk society on a regular basis. For instance, several times a season they collect products for Vincentius. They were immediately enthusiastic to also get behind this initiative.”

Niel Janssen, Foundation Lead of The KRC Genk Foundation

The KRC Genk Foundation opened the doors of the KRC Bicycle Atelier for the first time this afternoon. In a special room in the catacombs of the Cegeka Arena, old bikes will be repaired twice a month from now on. The supporters of Tribune Zuid are committed to refurbishing the bikes there.

“The Pro League and its clubs bring hundreds of thousands of supporters to the stadiums every week and gather 4 million fans around our football. There is an enormous social force emanating from this, which we are happy to use positively. Football at the heart of society. This project is a textbook example of this; supporters get to work together for their city and help fellow Genk residents get moving. KRC Genk thus demonstrates that they are a real social actor within Genk and within Limburg.”

Stijn van Bever, Public Affairs Director of the Pro League

Community service workers give something back to the local community

Besides the supporters of Tribune Zuid, community service workers will also be carried out at the KRC Bicycle Atelier. To this end, the KRC Genk Foundation is collaborating with the Justice House Limburg.

“Where possible, we look for KRC Genk supporters or people with a keen interest in football for this. This way, under the flag of KRC Genk, community service workers close to home can give something back to local society.”

Erik Gerits, General Director of KRC Genk

Flemish Minister of Justice Zuhal Demir attended the opening of the KRC Bicycle Atelier and also helped repair the first bikes in the KRC Bicycle Atelier himself.

“What KRC Genk is doing with the bicycle atelier I can only encourage. It’s great that the club also involves community service workers, especially from its own supporters’ group, in refurbishing the bikes. There is a great need of places for community service workers and therefore it is great that KRC Genk is doing its bit. Community service workers should serve society and this is an excellent example of that.”

Zuhal Demir, Flemish Minister of Justice

Breaking the vicious circle

The refurbished bicycles will be donated to the KRC Genk bicycle school. With that project, the KRC Genk Foundation, together with Stad Genk, has been offering cycling lessons to adults for 11 years. KRC Genk’s experience with that project shows that especially women of immigrant origin sign up for the cycling lessons. But also that these same women often do not have their own bicycle, which means they cannot keep practising enough and they learn to ride again. So the slogan: “you don’t forget cycling”, doesn’t quite hold true for that target group. With the KRC Bicycle Atelier, KRC Genk wants to break that vicious circle.