Car Free Sunday in Brussels went off without incident and has been deemed a success by the regional Minister for Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt (Groen). The minister as repeated calls for the currently annual initiative to take place at more regular intervals. Discussions are underway with the 19 Brussels municipalities.
From 09:30 to 19:00, cars were forbidden from circulating within the Brussels-Capital Region, leaving pedestrians, cyclists, and people on scooters or roller skates free to cruise the boulevards of Brussels.
About 15,300 motorists were still granted a certificate to still use their vehicle this Sunday: a number that decreases year on year, Van den Brandt confirms.
The day marked the start of Mobility Week in the capital, this year's theme being “Let’s make Brussels a city for children”, outlining the effort to reclaim public spaces for children, using less for cars.
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“People are going out, the children are happy, playing and cycling in the street. We clearly need more space for our children,” said Van den Brandt. "Each year, the same question comes up: should we organize more initiatives of this kind? I am currently in discussion with the municipalities to see if this is something we could agree on. So far, they are showing themselves to be cautiously positive."
"We have also discussed with the tourism sector and hospitality industries. Car-free days bring a great dynamic to the city; if it were up to me, we would definitely have more.”
Car Free Sunday in the Brussels, Sunday 18 September 2022. In several cities and towns across Belgium a Sunday without cars or other motorized transport is organized. BELGA PHOTO JULIETTE BRUYNSEELS
Car Free Sunday, 18 September 2022. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
Car Free Sunday, 18 September 2022. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
Car Free Sunday, 18 September 2022. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
