Brussels announces new mobility plan to put people first

With reduced public transport, and a desire to avoid a rise in car use, Brussels is now bringing forward plans to prioritise walking and cycling through the city post-lockdown. This is being achieved by fast-tracking pre-existing long-term plans to be implemented now in response to COVID-19. Firstly, a ‘neighbourhood’ approach will be taken to give greater priority to movement on foot and by bike and create a more welcoming urban environment. This will be complemented by a city-wide 30km/hour standard speed limit from 2021. Secondly, a ‘network’ approach will be applied to allow everyone to move around the city easily and safely on foot or by bike. For cycling, an additional 40km of bike corridors will be implemented, using concrete blocks and paint. Major arteries such as Rue de la Loi will be prioritised, with many more in the pipeline. Cycling is also being promoted and supported in other ways, such as by offering cycle training courses, promoting repair shops and ‘bike to school’ incentives.