More cyclists in Brussels, but safety concerns persist

The number of cyclists in Brussels continues to rise, but many riders feel increasingly unsafe on the capital’s roads, according to the latest mobility figures.

Recent data shows an annual 12% growth in cycling across the city, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote more sustainable transport. However, concerns about infrastructure and road safety remain a major issue.

Brussels has seen a consistent increase in the number of people choosing bicycles for daily travel, particularly for commuting.

Brussels mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt highlighted the broader benefits of this trend. "Every cyclist means one less car in traffic, cleaner air in residential areas and a more liveable city for everyone," she said.

"We will therefore continue our work, with a particular focus on high-quality and connected infrastructure and safe parking facilities."

Despite this growth, many cyclists report feeling less safe. According to ProVelo, in 2023, 39% of cyclists in Brussels felt safe on the roads. By 2025, that number had dropped to 24%.

Traffic fatalities have also doubled in 2025. Brussels Cyclists' Union representative Thomas Deweer said improvements were still needed, particularly when it comes to interactions with larger vehicles.

"The 30km/h city was a major step forward for road safety. One of the next steps must be to also tackle blind spot accidents, not just with blind spot cameras," he said.

"We also advocate for ‘direct vision’: vehicles with a lower driver's cab so that the driver and the cyclist can make eye contact. That is more valuable than yet another beep the driver has to pay attention to."

Cycling advocates also warn that budget cuts are slowing down essential infrastructure works across the city. “Due to the cutbacks, a number of important projects are stalled, even if a permit has been granted,” Deweer said.

“On Place Meiser, Avenue Charles Quint and the Chaussée de Ninove, it is high time we made progress there.”

While Brussels continues to position itself as a cycling-friendly city, the latest figures highlight a gap between policy ambitions and the experience of cyclists on the ground.

Authorities say further investments in safer, connected cycling infrastructure will be key to maintaining growth and ensuring that more residents feel confident choosing the bike.