Cycling in Brussels: close to €1.2 million to support 28 projects
![Bikes in Brussels](https://media.kbs-frb.be/en/media/10668/ratio_0_74/Bikes%20in%20Brussels.jpg)
Thanks to the support of the Bikes in Brussels Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, almost 1,400 new bike parking spaces have been – or are soon to be – created in the Brussels-Capital Region, with three new cycle routes and two bike workshops to follow suit. Supported by schools, hospitals, local municipalities, associations, etc., 28 new cycling projects across 13 Brussels municipalities are receiving a total of almost €1.2 million from the Fund.
Cycling to school in full safety, to medical appointments, to work, to sport events and concerts... All these require high-quality facilities and infrastructure for cyclists, such as bike shelters and secure bike parking facilities at the start and finish points, well-developed cycle lanes and dedicated footbridges to make journeys easier. To encourage cycling both within and into the Brussels-Capital Region, for the past five years, the Bikes in Brussels Fund has been supporting small, medium and large-scale projects from associations, the public sector or public and private partners to improve cycling infrastructure and facilities. The aim is to make two-wheeled travel accessible to as many people as possible within the capital.
Bike parking facilities, workshops and dedicated cycle routes
Over the last twelve months, the Bikes in Brussels Fund has supported 28 new projects aimed at providing secure bike parking solutions. Some 1,400 new dedicated bike spaces have been – or are soon to be – created for two-wheelers across a variety of facilities for a wide range of users. Three new cycle routes and two bike workshops are also being created with the support of the Fund. In total, these initiatives are being allocated close to €1.2 million. This brings the number of projects supported by the Bikes in Brussels Fund to 120 since its launch towards the end of 2018 within the King Baudouin Foundation, amounting to a total of over €7.5 million.
Here is an overview of the last 28 projects to receive funding, spread over 13 municipalities across the capital:
- Anderlecht: the local municipality is installing 10 new five-space bike boxes, along with another five designed to fit two cargo bikes. The Lycée Sœur Emmanuelle is installing a 20-space bike shelter.
- Auderghem: the CHIREC – Delta site is installing new bike parking facilities for its staff, providing spaces for 140 bikes, helping to free up spaces from other bike parking for visitors.
- Brussels: the Université Saint-Louis is installing a 38-space bike parking facility to encourage its staff and students to cycle. The Cambre Horta Faculty of Architecture (ULB) is installing a covered bike parking facility with 334 spaces. The Nos Pilifs inclusive farm is installing a 28-space covered bike parking facility.
- Evere: the municipality is installing three bike shelters near the Atis-Watis crèche, at the L'Aubier school and in the Bon Pasteur park, offering a total capacity of 30 spaces.
- Forest: Forest cultural centre BRASS is installing a covered bike parking facility, with space for eight bikes, for both its team and its partners.
- Ixelles: the Université Libre de Bruxelles is installing a 54-space bike parking facility for its students and lecturers, while also setting up a bike workshop for the university community and local residents. The Saint-Joseph de Boondael primary school is installing a 94-space bike shelter.
- Jette: the Jette Omnisport Centre is installing a covered parking facility for 30 bikes.
- Molenbeek-Saint-Jean: The Human Rights League is installing a 10-space bike parking facility, Recyclart a 12-space facility, and non-profit organisation Community Land Trust Brussels is installing a 20-space facility for its fleet of bikes, shared among local associations.
- Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode: The Botanique (Bota75) is installing a 56-space bike parking facility, with Caritas International installing another with 18 spaces.
- Schaerbeek: the local municipality is creating a cycle route and cycle zone around rue Josaphat, while also planning cycle infrastructure for avenue Ernest Renan. The KA E Hiel te Schaarbeek municipal school – Dino Brussel are installing bike racks and a covered 52-space bike parking facility. The Institut de la Vierge Fidèle is installing a 21-space bike shelter.
- Uccle: Cliniques de l'Europe are installing a new secure 123-space bike store, while the Royal Wellington Tennis and Hockey Club is installing a 92-space bike parking facility.
- Watermael-Boitsfort: the local municipality is installing a 26-space covered and secure bike store for its staff. The Lycée Sœur Emmanuelle is installing a 60-space bike shelter.
- Woluwe Saint-Lambert: the local municipality is installing six 30-space bike boxes, while transforming rue de la Cambre into a dedicated cycleway. CESI is installing a 20-space bike parking facility, while non-profit organisation Creb, which helps children with multiple disabilities, is extending its bike shelter to include 14 bike spaces.
The Bikes in Brussels Fund call for projects has been temporarily suspended. The Fund intends to concentrate its efforts on monitoring the projects supported over the last five years. The call shall be renewed over the coming months, with the aim of supporting new cycling infrastructure projects to help make bike travel in Brussels safe, smooth and comfortable.
To learn more about the Bikes in Brussels Fund, visit www.kbs-frb.be.