Cycle Count Week kicks off in Flanders

The third Fietstelweek (Cycle Count Week) is under way, with every Flemish province setting up electronic counters on certain cycle paths, as well as using mobile counters that will move from path to path. The goal is to find out how many people are cycling in the region, where and at what time of day, in order to plan future infrastructure expansions and improvements.

By knowing how many cyclists are cycling where, decisions can also be made with regards to alternative routes. The counters will be placed along cycle paths, and in particular on ring roads and between cities and districts.

More than 130 cities and towns are taking part in Fietstelweek, which runs until next Sunday. The first edition, in 2015, was the biggest cycle study ever in the region. Since then it appears that not only are more people cycling, but they are cycling further distances.

The results of this week will be published online, where the public but also authorities can see where the most cyclists are. All levels of government can then use the data to develop cycling policies.

Fietstelweek is an initiative of Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, a think-tank for cycle policy, and cycle lobby group Fietsersbond, in co-operation with Flemish provinces, the Netwerk Duurzame Mobiliteit (Sustainable Mobility Network) and the government of Flanders.

Photo: Lander Loeckx/dehaene.be