We are moving less and less, while the opportunities are greater than ever. That is no coincidence, says alderman Wijnte Hol. “Our society is designed with convenience as a priority. Everything can be faster, closer, and with less effort. But that convenience comes at the expense of our health.”
According to Hol, we live in a time of great contrasts. Healthcare is at a high level, but at the same time lifestyle diseases are increasing. “We see a wave of obesity and type 2 diabetes coming. That is not individual failure, that is how we have structured our society.”
Movement close to home
Hol emphasizes that unhealthy living is rarely a conscious choice. “We spend an average of 9 hours a day behind a screen. Temptations are everywhere. It takes enormous resilience to resist them.”
That is why he believes that movement should not be something extra, but something natural. “You shouldn’t need a subscription first or have to travel far. Movement should be possible nearby, within walking or cycling distance, just in your own neighborhood.”
Sports facilities in the neighborhood
The municipality cannot force people to move, Hol acknowledges. “Our influence is limited. But we can create conditions.” This is done by redesigning public spaces. More space for walking and cycling. Sports and exercise spots that are freely accessible. Paths that invite you to take a stroll. “If the environment cooperates, it becomes easier to take that first step.”
Therefore, Overbetuwe invests in sports facilities in outdoor spaces. Think of outdoor fitness, small fields, basketball courts, and walking routes. Not only for children, but especially for adults. “Many people no longer play sports at a club. Then you have to offer other forms. The sports facilities are realized in consultation with residents. “You don’t just put something down. It must fit the place and the people who live there.”
Pedestrians and cyclists get space
Important steps have been taken in recent years. The municipal mobility plan has been adopted with broad support from involved residents and interest groups. “In it, we consciously choose a different order for road design. First the pedestrian and cyclist, and only then the car.” This does not come at the expense of accessibility or the car in practice. We simply design the road smarter so that every road user gets space.
You see this reflected in new cycling and walking routes and safer connections between villages. “The first bicycle street was an adjustment. Now it is accepted.” Along the Linge, work is also being done on routes where cyclists and pedestrians get more space while cars and agricultural traffic remain welcome. This makes the road hospitable for everyone.
Movement connects
According to Hol, movement is not only about health but also about meeting others. “In those places you meet each other. That helps against loneliness and strengthens social cohesion.”
That is why new sports facilities also focus on a nice opening and guidance during an introduction period. Sports clubs and trainers show what you can do there. “This lowers the threshold. People discover that movement can be fun.”
Not a luxury, but a necessity
Is investing in movement not a luxury in times of budget cuts? Hol is clear about that. “It is not a luxury, it is a must. If we do nothing now, we will pay the price later in healthcare.” At the same time, he remains realistic. “This takes time and requires perseverance. You can only create conditions; ultimately society must do it itself.”
Do what suits you
His call to residents is simple and personal. “Do something you enjoy. Walking, cycling, exercising outdoors. It doesn’t have to be perfect or performance-oriented.” Hol lives what he preaches. He runs daily, takes the bike as often as possible, and consciously seeks movement in his day. “You don’t have to be able to do it first to do it. Just start.”
“If we do nothing now, we will pay the price later in healthcare.”
“Many people no longer play sports at a club. Then you have to offer other forms.”
About this article series
What does the municipality of Overbetuwe actually do, and why? In this article series, the college of mayor and aldermen takes residents along in the choices and initiatives that contribute to a pleasant and future-proof municipality. Each time one theme is central, with concrete examples from practice. This article is about movement, mobility, and the inviting design of public space.