The rising popularity of cycling as a means of transport in Brussels has seen the number of secure bicycle parking spots significantly increase in recent years. However, it is still failing to keep up with demand.
More and more Brussels residents are opting to travel by bicycle over relying on fossil-fuelled vehicles. However, rampant bicycle theft in the capital continues to discourage people from making the switch, especially as many do not have space to park their vehicles at home.
Safe bicycle storage and facilities such as indoor parking and 'bicycle boxes' aim to remove this obstacle, and many more parking spots are now appearing in Brussels.
Anyone whose home, work or hobby is located within 500 metres of a bicycle box is eligible to request a spot. They allow people to safely lock their bicycles away in a box that can store up to five two-wheelers. 858 were already installed at the end of last year – almost 300 more than the previous year – but demand still appears to far outstrip supply.
Developing facilities
Over 11,000 people are currently on the waiting list for a bike box near their home, workplace or hobby in the region, according to figures published by Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt, following a request from Brussels MP Jonathan de Patoul.
"In recent years, more and more people have acquired a taste for cycling. This brings new challenges in terms of developing bicycle parking facilities," she said in her response.
Most people on the waiting list are based in the municipalities of Schaerbeek (1,800 people) and Ixelles (1,500 people).
Van den Brandt explained that the differences in figures between municipalities can be explained by the number of inhabitants, type of buildings (with or without a garden or garage), the quality of cyclist infrastructure, the priorities of local authorities regarding bicycle parking, and the "cycling culture in the municipality and the people living there."
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She added that the waiting list requires some nuance as it also includes users who have since moved away and/or are no longer looking for a parking solution. "Sometimes users also refuse the spot offered, even if it is within a reasonable distance from their home, work or hobby, because they want to wait for a bike box closer to home."
Alongside focusing on creating more bicycle boxes, the region's competent body Cycloparking is also looking to further develop off-street bicycle parking, for example by converting garages into bicycle parking facilities. "Off-street bicycle parking offers a more effective solution to the growing demand for bicycle parking and is more suitable for parking large bicycles, such as cargo bikes," Van den Brandt argued.
Another innovative measure to tackle theft will be implemented in spring 2024, when a trial will be carried out in the region rolling out a new system of bicycle stands with secure bike racks.
