Mobility Week takes over the streets with ride sharing and car-free Sunday

To promote sustainable methods of transportation, municipalities are joining in on the Europe-wide initiative, with walking and cycling tours, family-friendly events, plus picnics and dancing in the streets. 

Mobility Week (16-22 September) is intended to make us think about how we get around and whether more sustainable options are possible. The high point is Car-Free Sunday, on 18 September, when all but essential motor vehicles are banned in Brussels and in some 40 towns and cities.

Most towns mark the day with events to promote transport alternatives and organise walking and bicycle tours. There are also lots of picnics and dancing in the streets, and events for children. More athletic bodies can race, for instance running the route of the Brussels 20k in reverse.

Happenings that jump out of the programme include a unicycle parade in Bruges, bike polo in Brussels and a stilt village on the Schouwburgplein in Kortrijk. Brussels also boasts the Tunnel Party, with DJs performing in one of the city’s underpasses. The location will be confirmed at the last minute.

If you must think about cars on Car-Free Sunday, then head to the Autodeelsalon on Ghent’s Korenmarkt. The aim is to help people to consider options for ride and car sharing, the better to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. The fair also explores the sharing economy more broadly, from barter schemes to co-housing and garden shares.

Similar but smaller Autodeelsalons take place in 10 locations across Flanders, including Antwerp and Bruges, and in Anderlecht and Jette in the Brussels region.

Mobility Week also features Strapdag, on 16 September, when parents are invited to consider alternatives for the school run, while 22 September is Car-Free Day for commuters, with more than 250 participating businesses.