Velo-city 2025
Gdańsk
10-13 June 2025

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Flanders is cycling: setting course for even safer, more comfortable, efficient and economical cycling in 2040

In Flanders, more and more people are cycling. Building on this trend, the Government of Flanders has developed an ambitious cycling policy for 2040. Read on to discover how the Flemish region manages the increase in bicycle use and encourages a further modal shift through innovation, data utilisation and by addressing its residents' needs.

By 2040, we want people in Flanders to spontaneously opt for the bicycle for short to medium journeys and easily switch between the bicycle and other sustainable modes of transport. 30% of travel will then be done by bicycle and there will be no more cycling casualties on the road. To achieve that, we also look abroad.

Filip Boelaert, secretary general of the Department of Mobility and Public Works: "In Flanders, the bicycle is not just another means of transportation. It is a way of life. We use bicycles to get around functionally, recreationally and athletically, and it all blends together. In Flanders, we want to appeal to every cyclist: with comfortable cycling infrastructure that connects city centres and attractions with picturesque country roads and challenging cobblestone lanes. The different policy areas of the Flemish government and the other stakeholders are working closely together, all with the same goal in mind: to further increase the cycling reflex in Flanders."
 

Filip Boelaert, secretary general of the Department of Mobility and Public Works of Flanders
© Department of Mobility and Public Works


Functional Cycling 

Nearly one-fifth of all travel in Flanders today is by bicycle. 22% take the bike to work, and for commuting to school, this is even 31%. A positive development that we keep building on. Our Flemish cycling policy focuses on four ambitions, through which we set course for a 2040 in which cycling is even safer, more comfortable, more efficient and more economical:
 
  1. To increase support for cycling: by increasing support, the bicycle can become the most obvious vehicle for short and medium distances.
  2. To encourage safe road behaviour: every road user takes responsibility in traffic, making the road safer for everyone.
  3. To build safe and comfortable cycling route networks: through good cycling infrastructure, we entice the people of Flanders to cycle more in a safe environment.
  4. To facilitate cycling in combined mobility and bicycle parking: building Hoppin points with safe and good bike storage facilities will make the bicycle even more important in the first and last mile of a journey.
 

© Department of Mobility and Public Works
 

Challenges

People often make functional transportation choices for travel. For example, a federal survey shows that commuting distance is the most influential obstacle to taking the bike. Once a transportation choice is made, it can become automatic. Achieving modal shift also requires a mental shift. Only when people really want the changes, will they be willing to consider other transportation options, such as the bike, as an alternative mode of transport. 
 
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At our parallel session of Velo-city on Tuesday 18 June "Cycling challenges... Challenging each other in the Flemish cycling policy", we will delve into the main challenges of the Flemish cycling policy including road safety, combined mobility and sustainable design.

Feel welcome to join us!
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Hoppin 

The Flemish mobility vision Hoppin stimulates the modal shift from high car use to increased use of sustainable modes of transport. More cycling is an essential link in this shift. 

Through Hoppin, the Flemish government aims to inform, guide and inspire people so they consider sustainable modes of transport more often than taking the car. If the train, tram, and bus can be more smoothly combined with bicycles, cars, or a sharing system, people can more easily choose sustainable transport. This also requires reliable, accessible networks, transport options and nodes (Hoppin points). At Hoppin points, several modes of transport converge. You start your journey there or switch smoothly from one mode of transport to another.
 

© Visitflanders


Leisure Cycling 

Cycling as leisure? That is what we do in Flanders. Nearly 50% consider themselves leisure cyclists. In Flanders, the opportunities for cycling are endless. Flanders offers 2,500 kilometres of iconic cycling routes. The natural landscapes, historic art towns and picturesque spots provide a wonderful backdrop for the recreational cyclist. Our unparalleled cycling culture is also in the Flemish genes. Flanders is there for everyone on two wheels. VISITFLANDERS is investing heavily in iconic cycling routes and several events are organised by Sports Flanders for both professional and amateur cyclists.
 

Cycling Innovation 

Looking towards the future, Flanders endeavours to make traffic safer and more efficient through knowledge and technology, while respecting applicable privacy rules. We are already working on that today with the Mobilidata programme, among others. With Mobilidata, governments, companies and researchers are jointly developing innovative, technological traffic solutions for road users such as intelligent traffic lights, better route advice and tailored traffic alerts.
 

Cycling Knowledge

Since 1994, the Flemish government's Department of Mobility and Public Works has been mapping the Flemish people's travel behaviour through the Travel Behaviour Survey. The latest Travel Behaviour Survey shows that people in Flanders are increasingly cycling and walking. 18% of our travel takes place by bicycle. Since the launch of this study in 1994, bicycle use in Flanders has never been higher.
 
Nearly half of people in Flanders are also satisfied cyclists, as reported in the latest figures from FietsDNA, the biennial survey by Fietsberaad Vlaanderen. Yet, the danger still lurks for cyclists as vulnerable road users. How they assess that danger is another barrier to taking the bike. To make cycling safer and more comfortable and to further shape the cycling network in Flanders, good cycling infrastructure and cycling training are indispensable links.

 "Within the Mobility and Public Works policy area, there is a strong commitment to cycling infrastructure, with more than 300 million euros invested annually in building new cycling infrastructure or improving existing cycling infrastructure," says Filip Boelaert.
 
© Department of Mobility and Public Works
 

Bike along to tomorrow

Flanders must realise the mission towards 2040 step by step and in close coordination with all partners involved. Filip Boelaert: "We must not stand still, we must keep moving forward. To do so, all best practices and experiences from abroad are welcome. As a guide country in cycling, we are also happy to share our own expertise with international partners."


Flanders is cycling is a collaboration of several entities within the Flemish government: the Department of Mobility and Public Works, the Agency for Roads and Traffic, Lantis, Flemish Waterways plc, De Werkvennootschap, the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Engineering, Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, Sports Flanders and VISITFLANDERS.