In the head of Overijssel, residents, tourists and entrepreneurs face a growing mobility problem. Public transport in the region is declining, making accessibility between villages, natural areas and cities increasingly challenging. To address this, project PAK'M was created, an innovative bike sharing concept that transcends municipal boundaries and makes the region more sustainable and accessible.

Cross-municipality cooperation:
PAK'M is an initiative supported by several municipalities: Steenwijkerland, Westerveld, Noordoostpolder, Zwartewaterland and Meppel. Together with local entrepreneurs and our partner, the NoordWestGroep, we are working on a future-proof mobility solution. The electric shared bicycles can be collected and returned at a network of hubs spread across the region. These hubs are strategically placed at railway stations, tourist hotspots and village centres.

What makes this project unique is the cross-community cooperation. Users can travel seamlessly across the region, regardless of which municipality they start or end in. This strengthens the connection between municipalities and promotes a sustainable mobility network.

Sustainable and accessible for all
With more than 160 electric share bikes spread across 30 hubs, PAK'M offers a reliable a sustainable transport alternative. The bikes are ideal for making the last leg of the journey, e.g. from the station to a village or nature reserve. At the same time, they relieve pressure on public transport. Consider, for example, residents who find it difficult to travel by public transport in the evening or commuters who do not have a car at their disposal.

The crucial role of NoordWestGroep
One of the key partners within PAK'M is the NoordWestGroep. They are responsible for the maintenance and management of bicycles in the region. This not only contributes to the reliability of the system, but also provides employment opportunities within the sheltered workshop. Thus, project PAK'M not only contributes to sustainable mobility, but also to social value.

The future of PAK'M
Although PAK'M is still in its start-up phase, the potential is already clear. Expanding the number of hubs and bikes will make the region even more accessible. By collaborating with more entrepreneurs and municipalities, we hope to grow the project further so that mobility in the region is no longer a limitation.

With PAK'M, we show that sustainable mobility, cooperation across municipal borders, and community involvement can go hand in hand. It is more than a share bike project: it is a movement towards a connected and sustainable region.