From paths and footbridges to cul-de-sacs and garden-estate alleyways, the ubiquitous vehicle-free lanes in Brussels will be in the spotlight during the third Slow Ways Weekend, on 14 – 15 October.
The occasion will be marked by 20 or so guided walks along these unusual routes in around 10 municipalities.
Vehicle-free paths cover more than 800 km in the Belgian capital. “These discreet daily passages often go unnoticed, but play a crucial role in our travel habits and quality of life,” says the walk.brussels association, which is organising the event together with its partners - Trage Wegen, Tous à Pied and Journée de la Forêt de Soignes.
The theme of the third Slow Ways Weekend is 'slow routes, a network to be maintained, developed and connected.' These fun and informative walks also help to highlight a problem, according to the organisers. “Slow lanes are underdeveloped and do not sufficiently complement the pedestrian network,” they say.
The associations are calling for greater attention to be paid to these routes, in terms of both maintenance and development.
“Slow lanes make a major contribution to the ‘walkability’ of the city through their safe, quiet and pleasant character. Yet they are overlooked or ignored by mobility policies,” says Arne Robbe, pedestrian policy coordinator for walk.brussels.
“Slow Ways Weekend is an opportunity to draw attention to their existence and their importance in terms of pedestrian mobility,” Robbe explains.
The full programme is available at: https://slowwaysweekend.be/public/index.php?lang=fr
