One in three Belgian workers travelled partly or all the way to their workplace by bicycle last year. The increase is largely driven by government incentives to encourage employees to commute by bicycle.
In recent years, the bicycle infrastructure in many Belgian cities has improved significantly, making the bicycle an increasingly popular mode of transport, particularly on the way to work. In 2023, 32% of Belgian workers used bicycles to commute to work, the BeMob survey by the Ministry of Mobility showed on Monday.
"Cycling is good for your health, your wallet and the climate: so cycling has all the makings to be a success. This trend among employees is particularly encouraging, as this is a segment with great potential to achieve a modal shift to the most environmentally friendly modes of transport," Federal Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) said. Last year marked a rise compared to 2019, when 29% of Belgian workers (partially) cycled to work.
All workers are now entitled to a bicycle allowance from their employer, which is currently €0.27 per kilometre but will rise to €0.35 per kilometre, starting from the fiscal year 2025. Gilkinet noted that the increase in allowance, combined with the removal of the cap on employer contributions, has incentivised people to commute by bike.
Car still king
As expected, the survey showed that the car is still king in Belgium. Public transport, used by 67% of respondents, and cycling are the two main alternatives to the car.
More than half of adults living in Belgium (57%) claim to use bicycles, but there are clear differences between the regions. In Flanders, three-quarters of the adult population cycle, compared to just 31% of Walloons and 37% of Brussels residents. In Flanders and Brussels, bicycles are mainly used for commuting, shopping or travelling to leisure activities, while in Wallonia, cycling is more of a recreational activity.
Credit: Belga / Eric Lalmand
However, across Belgium, almost a third of cyclists (30%) plan to cycle even more, another indicator attesting to its growing popularity. Moreover, 17% of non-cyclists state that they would like to start cycling.
The survey highlights that bicycle electrification is the basis for the increased use of bicycles for commutes, especially for people outside cities. More than 10% of respondents plan to buy an electric bicycle in the next two years, compared to 4% for non-electric bicycles, across all ages.
"These figures overwhelmingly show the enthusiasm for cycling," Gilkinet noted. "It is up to us, at all levels of government, from municipalities to Europe, through the Regions and the Federal Government, to channel this movement and do everything we can to map out the full potential of cycling in Belgium."
Gilkinet pointed to the need to improve the infrastructure, install secure bicycle parking and encourage the combination of train and bicycle, among others.
