Cycling booms in Flanders, overtaking Denmark as Europe’s number two
Flanders has emerged as Europe’s second-largest cycling region, behind only the Netherlands and ahead of Denmark. According to VRT NWS, around one in five journeys is now made by bike, whether for work, school, shopping or leisure.
Infrastructure has been key to this surge. The construction of bridges, cycle highways and safe intersections around cities such as Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels has boosted confidence and convenience.
Patrick D’haese of the region's Mobility ministry argues that the "build it and they will come" approach applies, though eliminating dangerous sections of road and creating conflict-free junctions remain urgent tasks.
E-bikes and bike-sharing schemes are also driving growth, with Antwerp’s system among the most successful in the world.
With half of all journeys being under 5km, Flemish officials believe there is still untapped potential. The government's goal is for 30 per cent of all trips to be made by bike by 2040, with annual investments of over 300 million euros supporting this ambition.
Despite these goals and investments, regional differences remain stark. In dense areas such as Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges, cycling rates exceed 20 per cent thanks to congestion and short distances. In Limburg and the Brussels periphery, however, usage is closer to 10 per cent, with more dispersed housing, car dependence and cultural barriers among newcomers all hindering uptake.
The government is experimenting with providing cycling lessons and awareness campaigns for groups less familiar with cycling, including some migrant communities.
#FlandersNewsService | Cyclists in Antwerp © PHOTO ANP / HOLLANDSE HOOGTE / PETER HILZ
Related news
