It is an evolution of society that is obvious in the cities. And the investigation of the Belgian public authorities confirms, by the figures, this empirical and visual sensation. In Belgium, 14% of employees now use a bicycle to get to work. And the increase is regular, four years ago was 11%. Conclusion of the FPS report, the Federal Public Mobility Service. The main figures were made public on Monday February 6, the full report will be unveiled on Tuesday. It concerns all companies with at least 100 employees, whether public or private. Admittedly, the car remains by far the preferred means of transport: 64% of employees favor four wheels. But this share is gradually decreasing while the share of public transport (train 9%, metro bus or tram 6%) does not change. So only the bike progresses. Another lesson from the report: a big difference depending on the regions of Belgium. The bicycle is a hit in Flanders (it is used by 20% of employees to get to work) but it is neglected in Wallonia (only 2%). In the middle, the Brussels capital region: 7% of employees concerned.
14% of “cycling” employees
In Wallonia, where the car continues to crush everything, three reasons explain the low use of bicycles: the underdevelopment of the network of cycle paths, the more rugged geography, and the lower urban density. In Flanders, on the contrary, it is more urban, flatter. There are more cycle paths and probably also a cultural influence from the neighboring Netherlands where cycling is very popular. Finally, in the capital Brussels, the highlight is the decline of the car. The decline has been steady for 15 years. Now only a third of workers in the Brussels capital region use the car to get to work. Public transport is now ahead of the car. A fortiori for employees who work in the city center: 60% of them go to work by metro, tram, bus or train. But it is the bike that has progressed the fastest in Brussels for four years.
A proactive business policy
Overall, the pandemic, explain the Belgian authorities, has reduced the attractiveness of public transport for fear of catching the virus. But it has also led to a reduction in all travel, with the rise of telework. In Belgium, 40% of employees now telework at least one day a week. It is four times more than before. There is therefore another reason for this rise of the vélotafeurs as we say in France, the cyclist workers as we say in Belgium: it is the proactive policy of the companies. 95% of employers now offer mileage allowance for two-wheelers. On average 25 euro cents per kilometer is not nothing. The number of employees benefiting from this aid has increased by 55% in five years. Total cost: more than 100 million euros. 73% of companies also offer covered car parks. When we compare with France, we say that here, there is a little delay in ignition.
