Much has been made of the attempt by Brussels to cut the number of vehicles circulating within the city centre. To do this its flagship "Good Move" policy has directed traffic to the peripheral roads and new avenues for cycling and walking have opened up.
But although the new calm is easy to appreciate by foot, the story of Good Move is incomplete without mention of the major opposition at various junctures – images of frustrated locals tearing out freshly-implanted signage led some to label the policy brand as "taboo" whilst certain municipalities decided to introduce their own schemes to lower combustion engines but did so without using the divisive name.
Notwithstanding the criticism, local administrators yesterday celebrated the policy's first birthday, taking the occasion to highlight its accomplishments – notably a 27% reduction in through traffic and a 36% rise in the number of cyclists in central Brussels. Clearly it's not all bad.
As a daily cyclist and pedestrian, I admit my preference for making what in urban planning is called "alternative transport" the norm. But I'm not blind to the challenge this poses, or the distance still to go. Right now we're still in a state of flux, with motorists adapting to the changes and still allowed to drive in some of the most crowded areas (think Place Saint-Géry or Rue de Flandres).
Local officials point to numerous schemes that have yet to get off the ground but will make the appeal of not driving even stronger. But for a rare glimpse of the utopian vision of a city with no cars at all, Brussels does indeed have such a day – exactly one month from now (Sunday 17 September).
Though the daily needs of the city might still require some vehicles, each year calls for more car-free days follow the single Sunday of the calendar. Could more days without fossil-fuelled vehicles restore the public perception of Good Move?
Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. Fears of deindustrialisation grow as production falls again in Belgium
June saw industrial production decline in Belgium for the third consecutive month, adding to concerns that the country is undergoing deindustrialisation on a national scale. Read more.
2. One year of Good Move: Brussels sees car traffic drop by over 25%
Exactly a year after Brussels authorities implemented their Good Move mobility plan in the streets of the city centre, motorised traffic has dropped by a quarter and there are a third more cyclists in the Pentagon/Vijfhoek. Read more.
3. 'Costa Del Dull'? British media outraged by idea of holidaying in 'boring' Belgium
British media outlets have expressed dismay and even anger at a leading travel company's suggestion that global warming might force an increasing number of Brits to holiday in "boring" Belgium. Read more.
4. Three times the number of museums with free entrance every first Sunday
The number of museums in Brussels and Wallonia that open their doors to the public for free on the first Sunday of the month has more than tripled in the past decade. Read more.
5. Nearly 600 shoplifters fined on the spot since start of 2022
Since police have been granted the power to fine shoplifters immediately upon being caught at the start of 2022, almost 600 people have received on-the-spot fines. Read more.
6. Camping paradise: Green party pitches proposal for free camping in Flanders
Pitching a tent outside a recognised camping site in Flanders is not yet possible, but the Flemish Green party (Groen) is hoping to transform the region and provide more opportunities for wild camping. Read more.
7. Hidden Belgium: Sounds Jazz Club
Back in the summer of 1985, Rosy and Sergio created an intimate jazz club in an Ixelles back street. It started out as a rock and blues cafe, but evolved into a cool jazz venue that could almost be in New York. Read more.
