2,500 new secure bike parking spaces announced for Brussels cyclists
Brussels is set to introduce 2,500 new secure bicycle parking spaces in 150 new parking facilities. The initiative, part of regional Mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt's Bicycle Master Plan, responds to the growing demand for secure bicycle parking in the city.
The new facilities differ from bike boxes as they will be located in car parks managed by private operator BePark. Working with public parking agency parking.brussels, the aim is to install one new facility each week.
The number of cyclists in the Brussels-Capital region is expected to increase by 7 per cent this year, according to Brussels Mobility, the capital's transport organisation. Last year, however, there was a much steeper increase of 40 per cent.
Incomplete infrastructure
Earlier this month, Van den Brandt said she was pleased with the increase, but said the work was still incomplete in terms of safe cycling infrastructure.
The new secure bike parking announced on Monday are part of the region's management agreement, which calls for 21,250 new spaces to meet increased demand. "In Brussels, many people would like to cycle but don't because they don't have a safe place to park their bike or they are afraid their bike will be stolen," said Van den Brandt on Monday. Currently, 11,000 Brussels cyclists are still waiting for a parking space.
"Many people would like to cycle but don't because they don't have a safe place to park or they are afraid their bike will be stolen"
The spaces will only be accessible with a subscription, costing 15 euros a year for traditional bikes and 30 euros for cargo bikes. An app will allow users to open and close the bike park.
In June 2023, Brussels Mobility launched a campaign to encourage the Brussels expat community to cycle more. Eight ambassadors from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Botswana, New Zealand, Bosnia and Slovenia are involved in the campaign.
© PHOTO KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP
Related news
