Cyclo bike repair association faces financial uncertainty

The Cyclo bike repair association in Brussels has warned that its future is in doubt, as it has no certainty about forthcoming regional funding.

The organisation, which has six bicycle repair points in the Belgian capital, said a solution was "urgently needed".

“We want to put pressure on the Brussels government, which is currently discussing this year's budget,” Caroline De Munck of Cyclo told Bruzz.

Cyclo fixes bikes and offers cycling advice at Brussels North, Central and Midi stations, as well as at sites on Place du Luxembourg, Place de la Bourse and Place Bockstael.

“We record about 15,000 repairs every year, but we help at least twice as many people who come here asking for advice or just to have their chain lubricated,” said De Munck.

Cyclo depends on a subsidy from Brussels Mobility for the operation of the bicycle points.

“This accounts for about a third of our operating funds,” De Munck added.

“If that were to disappear, we would be in trouble.”

Cyclo said that the bicycle points not only play an important role in supporting sustainable mobility, but also have an important social function as an accessible source of employment. Without the prospect of regional support, the jobs of about 40 employees are at risk.

“We offer training opportunities to Brussels residents looking for work and provide a pathway to acquiring skills and prospects,” said De Munck.

“This offers opportunities for Brussels residents who are unable to find work on the regular labour market.

"The organisation is holding its own and keeping the city running, but will soon have insufficient liquidity to pay its staff. This is because the subsidy process has come to a standstill."

While De Munck saie the organisation understood the lack of certainty regarding subsidies during the long period in which a Brussels government was not formed, time is now running out.

“We use that money for a task assigned to us by the region - it must enable us to fulfil our duties,” De Munck said.

“We’re certainly not the only Brussels non-profit organisation facing this problem. We hope that the budget negotiations will soon bring clarity, which is what we need most right now.”

The office of Brussels mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) said it was aware of Cyclo's precarious situation and that the issue will be discussed by the council of ministers in the coming weeks.