In cities like Brussels, it’s increasingly common to see people riding around on bikes with their children tethered behind in a comfy-looking trailer.
In many ways, the trend is positive. Parents get a chance to enjoy exercise during the school run, while their kids enjoy the thrill of the ride. Best of all, it means there are fewer cars on the road polluting the planet.
But when traffic is busy, large bikes and voluminous trailers can be a safety hazard, leading to chaotic scenes on pavements and roads as people fight for space to park their bicycles.
With more pupils arriving at school by bike, this type of congestion has become a particular problem outside schools.
'Kiss & Cycle' zones
Noting an increase in students arriving by bike, staff at French-speaking school Nos Enfants in Forest became concerned.
After discussions with the school management, Brussels Mobility and the Forest municipality decided to introduce a special lane, which they have dubbed a ‘Kiss & Cycle’ lane.
Located on Albert Avenue near house number 244, the Kiss & Cycle zone allows temporary parking, with a special sign indicating that between 8am and 9am, the space is reserved for cyclists. At other times, it reverts to a regular paid parking spot for vehicles.
The lane is primarily intended for parents using cargo bikes, longtails, trailer bikes, or other large bikes. Traditional bicycles can still use the bike parking available on either side of the school entrance.
Brussels Minister for Mobility, Elke Van den Brandt said: “This Kiss & Cycle pilot project creates additional space for cycling parents at the busiest time of the day, i.e. the morning rush hour.
“They can drop their child off at the school gate in complete peace of mind and continue cycling. We look forward to evaluating this test, made possible by the Highway Code reworked by former Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet”.
The pilot project will undergo an initial evaluation before the summer holidays, with a second review in the autumn. Interest from other municipalities is high, suggesting that there is potential for a wider rollout in Brussels.
