Bicycle use in Brussels up 5%, but still not enough, says cyclists' union

The number of cyclists in the Brussels-Capital Region last year increased by 5% compared to the previous year, a figure that is “positive, but still much too low,” according to the cyclists' union in reaction to the most recent figures on bicycle use in the capital released by Brussels mobility minister Pascal Smet (pictured). "There is clearly much more work to be done,” the association says.

The Region's stated objective of 20% bike use by 2020 "would require an increase of 15% per year," says the cyclists' union. On average, the number of cyclists increases by 5% every year, a rate that is significantly higher in areas with separate, traffic-free cycle paths. A new bike path in Forest, for example, led to an increase of 49%, writes Brusselnieuws.

“Safe cycle paths will lead to a quadrupling in the number of cyclists,” according to the association. “That's why it is so important to continue working on the bike-GEN, to get more commuters to hop on the bike.” The Bicycle-GEN (Cycling Regional Express) project aims to provide a connection between several Flemish communes outside of Brussels and the city of Brussels by 2025.

The planned investments for a separate bicycle path on the inner ring road are a step in the right direction, adds the cyclists' union. The association is urging the Brussels municipalities to assist with the construction of the regional bike paths (Bicycle-GEN).