Brussels will see the creation of around 150 secure parking areas capable of holding up to 2,500 bicycles over the next three years, as part of ongoing public-private initiative.
This partnership links BePark and Cycloparking, the bicycle department of the Brussels parking agency. It is part of a broader cycling master plan put together by Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt.
The goal is to meet the terms set out in the region's 2022-2026 management contract for the Brussels parking agency, parking.brussels.
Minister Van den Brandt highlighted the lack of safe, theft-proof, weather-protected bicycle parking as a significant barrier to cycling in Brussels. The focus is not just on tackling theft with police zones, but also on providing more secure parking solutions, she explained.
Five new cycle parking stands were introduced on Monday in Auderghem inside a BePark underground car park, taking up space formerly allocated to two car. A specific area has also been set up to accommodate two cargo bikes, larger than typical bicycles.
By 2026, this public-private partnership will have created 2,500 similar spots by rolling out a new parking area each week.
The scheme is primarily directed at residents who do not have safe bike parking options, such as those living in apartments. According to parking.brussels, cyclists seldom park their bikes more than 200 metres from their homes, underlining the importance of this type of infrastructure.
Annual access to the parking facilities will cost €15 and will be controlled through a smartphone app, mirroring the system already in place for BePark’s car parking subscribers.
