The Brussels Minister for Transport, Pascal Smet, is more than satisfied with the success of “Car-free Sunday”. Thousands of individuals took advantage of cutting across the region’s 160 square kilometres on foot, by bike or using public transport, all without any major incidents, the police say.
The Royal Family also criss-crossed the streets of the capital by bike. Mr Smet commented, “Car-free Sunday” shows perfectly that a city with fewer cars is both a vibrant and pleasant city.”
The police counted more cyclists in the street than at previous car-free events.
Both the region and individual communes organised numerous activities for this occasion. “Along the canal, hundreds of youngsters discovered the joys of cycling thanks to Kidz On Weelz,” the minister explained.
He went on, “More than 1,000 individuals participated in different organised rides departing from the Place Royale.”
The minister explained, “Moreover, after last year’s Tunnel Party, several thousand came to enjoy the ‘Party with a view’ in Place Poelaert.”
The judoka Dirk Van Tichelt, who received a bronze medal in the recent Olympic games, provided an initiation into judo on the Grand-Place.
Although there were no major incidents, the hotline for the third sector organisation, Cyclo, was however more sought after than in previous years.
Around twenty cycle repairers shared the task across the capital.
“Car-free Sunday” marks the beginning of Transport Week, which will come to a grinding halt on Friday September 23rd.
The Brussels Times
