Have you participated in previous Bike Parades in other cities?
Jan: I have attended five Velo-city conferences before and participated in the Bike Parade each time. In my opinion, the first one in Nantes was the most successful because of its diverse route along the docks and through the city centre. I also remember the impressive side performances. There was a street theatre show featuring gigantic mechanical marionets which created a fantastic atmosphere!
Laura: I have already joined twice, in Dublin and Leipzig. The idea behind the Bike Parade is to reclaim space from cars temporarily. Traditionally, the route includes major traffic axes such as the ring road. We also want to showcase our top cycling gems and beautiful city centre, which is why we chose a combination of major roads, smart cycling infrastructure, bicycle streets, the docks and the city centre. With this mix, it promises to be a unique ride!
How do you start the organisation of a Bike Parade?
Laura: We began by deciding on the starting and ending points. The starting point was clear for us: it had to be at the velodrome ‘t Kuipke in the Citadelpark, which is also part of the Velo-city conference venue. For the finish, our ideas evolved gradually. Initially, we considered ending at the sports and recreational park Blaarmeersen, but we ultimately felt it would be more impactful to finish in the historic city centre. Thus, we chose the Vrijdagmarkt as the endpoint.
Jan: When you have decided on the start and finish, it is just a matter of tweaking the route, which is about 10km. We wanted to avoid cycling along the tram tracks.
Laura: In line with the idea of a bike parade, we cycle over the B401, part of the highway ramp, where we will truly reclaim space from cars. The highway’s entrance and exit are directly connected with the city centre, an issue that is increasingly being discussed.
Jan: But we also want to demonstrate that Ghent has already made incredible efforts to support cyclists! The recent Louisa d’Havé bridge, for example, is an excellent example of cycling infrastructure we’re proud of. We will also cycle on bicycle streets like Muinkaai and Stropkaai, and pass by the docks with two bicycle bridges, De Krook, Bisdomkaai and Portus Ganda, before finally arriving at the Vrijdagsmarkt.
Laura: As we think side performances are of great added value to the atmosphere, we have invited several street performers, including the street theatre collective CirQ and the colourful percussion group Famba. Our colleagues at the Cycling Embassy of Ghent are also preparing some nice surprises along the route. After the ride, the cycling fun will continue. We plan to arrive at the Vrijdagsmarkt between 20:00 and 21:00, where we invite everyone to stay for the Après-fiets party and enjoy some drinks, snacks and music.
Jan Vanhee, manager of bike rental and repair, and Laura Bodyn, project manager
How was it to work together with the City of Ghent and other civil services?
Laura: The cooperation went smoothly, for which we are very grateful. Ghent is not a large city but has extensive experience in organising major events. The fire brigade, police, public transport service and the city of Ghent all shared their thoughts effectively with the organisers.
Jan: Collaboration involves both giving and taking. We decided not to shut down tram traffic for the Bike Parade. Instead, we chose to start a bit later, at 19:00, when most people are done working. The tram from the centre to the station will be given priority so people can get home swiftly. We reached a good compromise with De Lijn, the public transport service.
Laura: Cyclists will occasionally need to stop to give priority to buses and bus drivers will also pause at certain points to let cyclists pass. We see public transport as an ally of the cycling culture in Ghent and want people to be still able to take the bus and tram during the Bike Parade.
How many people are you expecting?
Jan: It will be a surprise, but we are aiming to have a minimum of 2,500 participants. The Velo-city conference counts around 1,400 attendees, most of whom will be cycling in the Bike Parade. Additionally, we hope to encourage as many Ghentians as possible to join this event!
What did you do to ensure people’s safety at the bike parade?
Laura: As mentioned before, the local police are well-prepared for large events. From a checkpoint at the police’s head office, a group of policemen, firefighters and people from the city of Ghent will watch over the safety of the participants. We will keep in contact with them over walkie-talkies. Additionally, 33 policemen will stand close to the route and others will cycle along.
Jan: On top of that, 150 stewards from Flow Ghent are taking care of the signalisation at different points on the route.
Will the route be challenging?
Laura (laughing): Let’s say it will be a typical Flemish cycling experience, with some slopes and cobblestones. We are used to it here but the international attendees of Velo-city might be exposed to new cycling situations!
Jan: It’s quite a challenge to think about the small details. For example, we bumped into some poles that can’t be removed along the way. We are going to lift these so they are better visible. On the day of the parade, we will check the route thoroughly once more and remove any last obstacles.
Laura: Organising such a large event is exciting and challenging, but above all, it is a nice and educational experience! We’ve set the bar quite high, and I’m convinced this will result in a great edition of the Bike Parade!
Find all practical information about the Bike Parade here.
About the Cycling Embassy of Ghent – organiser of the Bike Parade
The Embassy of Ghent promotes cycling and cycling culture in Ghent by offering a range of cycling services such as bike rental, bike repair, bicycle parking and cycling lessons, bike taxis, innovative projects and the selling of second-hand bicycles. Read more about their services
here.