Het gaat maatwerkbedrijf Werkplus voor de wind: “We barsten letterlijk en figuurlijk uit onze voegen” | Waregem | HLN.beIn a strategic shift, De Sprong vzw, a recognized Belgian social enterprise, has announced the closure of its bicycle shops in Meerhout and Mol, effective July 17, 2026. This decision stems from the increasing technical complexity of e-bikes, which have become challenging to maintain within a social employment context. Consequently, the organization is refocusing its efforts on logistics and maintenance services. Importantly, no layoffs are anticipated; all affected employees will be reassigned within De Sprong.
Els Vanstechelman, coordinator of the bicycle department, emphasized the technical challenges: “It’s become much more difficult. It’s no longer just about fixing a flat tire. Moreover, we notice that the influx of technical profiles within the social economy is increasingly weak.” (be.linkedin.com)
The organization also highlighted the intensive nature of the staff-to-employee ratio in the bicycle shops, which contrasts with other departments where one supervisor manages multiple employees. This imbalance has impacted their core mission of fostering personal growth and facilitating transitions to the regular labor market.
In response to the closure, De Sprong is organizing a clearance sale starting July 1, offering discounts of up to 30%. Customers are encouraged to visit their website for more details. (be.linkedin.com)
For those seeking alternative bicycle services in the region, several local businesses remain operational:
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Back On Track – Fietsenatelier Mol: Formerly known as Fietsenatelier Mol, this workshop focuses on repairing and maintaining city bikes and selling second-hand bicycles. They are located at Sint-Apollonialaan 194, 2400 Mol. (backontrackbikes.be)
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Drive2Impress: An independent store with over 30 years of experience, offering a wide range of electric bikes, scooters, and maintenance services. They have locations in Meerhout and Noorderwijk. (drive2impress.be)
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Bike City bvba: Located at Weversberg 46, 2450 Meerhout, they provide bicycle repairs, sales of bicycle accessories, and new bicycles. Their operating hours are Wednesday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. (meerhout.be)
These establishments continue to serve the local community, ensuring that cycling enthusiasts have access to quality services and products.