There were more than 28,000 cyclists in Brussels in 2017 according to a poll by Pro Vélo. This is almost exactly the same number as in 2016, the year of the “attack effect”. There were 30% more cyclists in the capital’s streets compared to 2015. This is “good news”, the Brussels Mobility Minister Pascal Smet said in a press release on Saturday.
Every year, Pro Vélo and the Brussels regional authorities do a poll in 26 areas 4 times a year, between 8am and 9am during the week.
There were more cyclists in Brussels after the attacks on the 22nd of March 2016, especially on the routes corresponding to the metro line that goes through Maelbeek. It was one of the targets in the attacks that rocked Belgium. In 2016, there were 30% more cyclists in Brussels than the previous year.
In 2017, there were around 28,000 cyclists in the capital’s streets. The amount of cyclists went up by an average of 13% between January 2016 and January 2017 and 12% between November 2016 and November 2017. The number of cyclists dropped by an average of 16% compared to the previous year in September 2017. This drop is due to the number of rainy days that month.
“This is excellent news as it shows the bicycle is still seen as a viable mode of transport”, says Pascal Smet.
The Brussels Mobility Minister says it is logical there has been such a change. “With the opening of new separate and safe cycle lanes on boulevard Général Jacques, boulevard de la Woluwe, avenue de l’Exposition and avenue Franklin Roosevelt over the next few months, Brussels residents will have new opportunities to get into cycling. The ten new counters, which will be functional from March onwards, will give us a more precise view of the number of cyclists in Brussels”, he concluded.
The Brussels Times
