Several Brussels cycling associations are sounding the alarm over the potential consequences of the uncertain 2025 funding.
Pro Velo, CyCLO, Les Ateliers de la Rue Voot, GRACQ, de Fietsersbond, Ride Your Future, and MolemBIKE have appealed to the interim Brussels government to ensure their activities can continue.
"The Brussels Region is in a political deadlock. More than six months after the elections, we are still waiting for a government," the organisations said in a joint press release on Tuesday. "There is no certainty about subsidies for 2025. Without this support, the seven Brussels cycling organisations risk having to stop their activities."
This could lead to traffic education for 3,000 Brussels schoolchildren being paused, fewer bicycle repairs, professional cyclist representation losing its voice in Brussels, and the potential loss of 43 jobs.
The integrated cycling policy costs the region €3 million annually – a small part of the estimated €7.8 billion budget for 2024, the organisations point out. "The cycling organisations are essential links between the public and the government. They translate the growing needs of cyclists into concrete solutions with the resources available."
“The interim government has the responsibility to ensure continuity. Brussels needs these cycling organisations to continue the necessary modal shift,” they added. According to Pro Velo’s data, the number of cyclists in Brussels has grown by 12.6% every year since 2010, a result of progressive and integrated cycling policies.
The outgoing Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) has acknowledged the issue and stated that a solution is being sought in government.
