According to figures revealed by market research company NielsenIQ at a recent event, the Belgian bicycle market has seen a healthy uptick in overall sales in 2025, with e-bikes accounting for 66.1% of this figure.
The figures were presented at an event for the Belgian bicycle industry hosted by mobility organisation TRAXIO. The sales data is taken from cash-register figures from both individual retailers and large chains, but excludes direct sellers and suppliers such as Decathlon. Kristof Scheys of NielsenIQ said that this sales data represents 60-65% of the Belgian bike sales market.
Following a fall in in 2024, where sales of new bicycles dropped by 6.8%, in 2025 sales are up 13.6%. E-bikes account for 66.1% of the market in 2025, with cargo bikes having a 7.8% share and longtail bikes a 6.4% share. The average purchase price of an e-bike is €4,000; regular bikes have an average price of €1,700.
Further topics during the event included the latest developments in Europe’s e-bike battery regulations, and a discussion on circular e-bike leasing, alongside the potential for a repair index and sustainability index for bicycles.
Sustainable mobility organisation Mobiel 21 was commissioned by the City of Leuven, Belgium, to analyse the barriers which people face in accessing mobility options such as shared bicycles, and to prepare a set of recommendations for dismantling those barriers.
Shared mobility is gaining popularity in the Flanders region, with bicycles, cargo bikes and scooters among the vehicles available, however research has shown that accessibility could be improved. Those on lower incomes, the elderly and residents from migrant background communities use shared mobility less. Mobiel 21 highlights that shared mobility can act as a useful tool particularly for such vulnerable groups, providing access to a means of transport to work, school and other daily activities, without the high costs associated with purchasing, insurance, and maintenance.
Launch of the Leuven pilot project
The City of Leuven set up a pilot project, in collaboration with Mobiel 21 and shared transport providers VELO vzw and Cambio, with the aim of better understanding existing barriers residents experience in accessing shared mobility options. Between March 2024 and March 2025, temporary shared transport points were set up in three Leuven community centres, which actively serve neighbourhoods that are home to people in vulnerable groups.
Residents were able to use a mix of shared mobility transport modes for a period of four months at each of the community centres – traditional bikes, electric bikes, electric cargo bikes, and a car. Participation was free of charge, in an effort to make the project as accessible as possible.
Research during the project consisted of interviews with participants, and a focus group with community workers based at the three centres. The interviews explored with participants any barriers they experienced when using the shared vehicles, and their thoughts on shared mobility as a solution to their needs. The focus group discussed shared mobility, inclusion and mobility poverty. The community workers forming the focus group were the first point of contact for the project’s participants, assisting with registration and sign-ups with the sharing scheme providers, and gaining insights into local residents’ mobility needs.
Identified barriers
A range of barriers which can influence the use of shared mobility were identified by the research. With the pilot project being free of charge for participants, other factors than financial were highlighted:
Knowledge: Many residents did not really know what shared mobility entails.
Digital and practical skills: Using an app, or riding an electric bicycle or cargo bike does not come naturally to everyone.
How the sharing system works: Registration and making reservations can cause stress.
The sharing mindset: The contrast between “owning” to “shared-use” takes some getting used to.
Location and design of the sharing point: Proximity and recognisability of sharing points are crucial to attract users.
Cost: Even if rides are affordable, many people still feel financial stress, such as high entry fees, or a fear of fines.
Recommendations for inclusive shared mobility
Mobiel 21 drew up seven distinct recommendations which can act as a reference point to policymakers and shared mobility service providers in making shared schemes better tailored to the real-world requirements of vulnerable communities:
Communicate broadly, in clear language
Focus on personal guidance
Arrange practice sessions with the vehicles
Choose a familiar location and an offer tailored to the neighborhood
Simplify the registration process
Provide alternative methods to digital access
Ensure an affordable and balanced pricing model
Based on the research results, the interviews, and the focus groups with the community workers, general recommendations can be made to make shared mobility more inclusive and better tailored to the wishes and needs of vulnerable population groups.
The Insight document prepared by Mobiel 21 on the project can be downloaded here, in Dutch.
The national post operator of Belgium has extended its 100% emission-free mail and parcel deliveries to the entire Brussels Region. While the city of Brussels has been served entirely by electric vans and bicycles since 2022, the remaining municipalities in the region have now been added to Bpost’s sustainable delivery operations.
“Brussels is the first European capital where a parcel company delivers completely emission-free, this is an important step towards achieving emission-free operations throughout Belgium by approximately 2030” said Nicolas Baise, COO of bpost Belgium.
Eco-friendly delivery vehicles are increasingly visible across Belgium, with Mechelen being the first Belgian city to achieve 100% emission-free parcel deliveries, and cities such as Bruges, Namur, Leuven, and Brussels following shortly thereafter.
Bpost plans to deploy approximately 500 electric vans throughout Brussels, complimented by electric bicycles on 60 delivery routes, primarily in the city center, according to Baise.
The company aims to expand emission-free coverage to a third of Belgian households by next year, up from the current one-quarter, with the goal of nationwide emission-free deliveries by approximately 2030.
Green transport powered by green energy
Implementing the emission-free initiative requires significant infrastructure additions. Bpost is establishing sufficient charging stations for its fleet of electric vehicles and bicycles, all powered by green energy. The company is also generating part of its own electricity through solar panels, installed across roughly 50,000 square meters of its buildings nationwide.
In addition, the company is investing in parcel lockers. “This also allows us to reduce the number of kilometers and therefore greenhouse gases. All these investments address the needs of our customers, both at home and online stores. Businesses are working on their green credentials, and a key part of that is transport to the customer.” adds Baise.
TRAXIO’s study highlights a strong growth in bicycle leasing for the region, with electric bicycles in particular proving popular with employees.
Bicycle leasing continues to gain momentum in Belgium, with electric bikes now making up the majority of leased two-wheelers. According to a new study by TRAXIO, 66% of all leased bikes in Belgium are e-bikes. As of mid-2025, the total number of leased bicycles stands at 166,696, with a record 52,278 new lease contracts signed in 2024 alone.
These findings are part of the latest TRAXIO VELO brochure, which for the first time, offers a comprehensive overview of the Belgian bicycle leasing sector.
Leasing supporting the transition into sustainable mobility
The report underscores the growing role of bicycle leasing in Belgium’s broader mobility transformation. An increasing number of employees are turning to cycling, particularly electric cycling, as a sustainable and active mode of daily transport.
Calls for policy support in Belgium
Despite the positive trend, TRAXIO notes that bicycle leasing remains underutilized, with only 1.91% of the working population currently using a lease bike. To unlock the full potential of this market, the organization is urging policymakers to integrate bicycle leasing more firmly into Belgium’s national mobility budget. TRAXIO emphasizes that with more structural support, the bike leasing sector can grow significantly and make a greater contribution to sustainable mobility in Belgium.
A survey by the government of the Flanders region of Belgium shows that overall journeys made by electric bike, speed pedelec or traditional bike have risen to 18.5% – the highest recorded share.
The Travel Behaviour Survey 7 (Onderzoek Verplaatsingsgedrag 7) saw participation by almost 24,000 Flanders residents in 2023-2024, and provides an important source of information for the government’s policy decisions on traffic safety, public transport and traffic jams.
When it comes to commuting journeys specifically, the cycling share is in fact higher, with 10.4% made by electric bike, 1.8% by speed pedelec, and 9.9% on traditional bike. School traffic is the highest reported reason for travelling at 36.2%.
Ownership of electric bikes by Flemish people is now at 44%, with an average age of 48. Traditional bike owners are on average 33 years old.
The share of all sustainable transport modes in Flanders has risen to 46.9% on an average weekday, compared to the pre-pandemic level in the 2018-2019 survey of 44%. Sustainable modes include cycling, walking, electric scooter, and public transport. Antwerp is the region showing the larges share of sustainable transport journeys at 58%, while Bruges, Ghent and Kempen see the most people cycling on average, at 24%. It is also notable that car use across Flanders is still lower than before the pandemic.
The government of Bruges has requested more micromobility vehicles from LEVA-EU member EVpro to improve its cleaning efforts sustainably.
Following recent announcements about EVpro deploying its Stuyf Pickups to Brussels and the municipality of Schaarbeek in Belgium, it has now sent seven more of its Stuyf Pickups to help the Stad Brugge government keep the historic city centre of Bruges clean, with the region now having nine units, including one that is equipped with a high-pressure cleaner.
Bruges’ greening mobility efforts
In 2022, the city published an ambitious climate strategy for the next 30 years with aims to halve its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030, including targets to make it a car-free, bicycle friendly city with initiatives including turning ninety of its streets into cycling zones and a subsidy encouraging families to ditch their cars.
With the expansion of its fleet in Bruges, EVpro reinforces its role as a key partner in the city’s transition toward cleaner, low-emission urban mobility.
The LEVA EU member has announced an extension of its greening mobility efforts in the Belgian capital.
The micromobility provider deployed eight of its electric Stuyf Pickups to Brussels’ Cleaning Department and Green Service, helping it to reduce its carbon footprint and allowing its service workers to carry out essential work efficiently.
The city’s collaboration with EVpro is the latest in a whole host of sustainability plans that are being implemented in this region. In 2022, it published its sustainable mobility summary for the region with the STIB-MIVB, the Brussels Intercommunal Transport Company, intending to reduce its carbon emissions by 39% in 2030 compared to 2010.
It aims to do this by improving its public transport with the installation of 94 electric buses, 90 trams, 43 metro trains, and renewing 63 kilometres of track on existing tram and metro networks. More recently, in 2024, Brussels airport launched Belgium’s first autonomous shuttle for a sustainable mobility pilot.
By integrating EVpro’s Stuyf Pickups into its urban services, Brussels reinforces its commitment to cleaner mobility as it actions its plans in reaching its sustainable mobility targets.
The City Council of Brasschaat in Belgium enforced a new parking ordinance in late 2023, reflecting a commitment to reducing car dependency and encouraging bicycle use.
A strategic response to urban challenges
The Flanders region in Belgium is known for its dispersed urban landscape, which necessitates smart space management. With increasing numbers of apartments and smaller housing units, space has become a valuable commodity. Recognising this, its Decree on Basic Accessibility (transportation policy) encourages investment in shared and combined mobility. The ambitious goal, set out in the Vision Note of the Antwerp Transport Region, aims for a modal split of 50% sustainable transport and 50% car use by 2030.
In response to this vision, Brasschaat made a pivotal decision in 2020 by no longer prioritising car parking spaces in construction developments, to encourage alternative use of sustainable transport. A new initiative was introduced, of tax obligation for projects that did not meet parking conditions being suspended, provided that developers offered sufficient alternative transport solutions. This progressive approach culminated in the adoption of the new parking regulation at the end of 2023, introducing innovative measures to shift the focus away from car-centric development.
Key features of the new regulation
The revised parking ordinance incorporates several significant changes. One of the most notable aspects is the introduction of a minimum number of car parking spaces that will decrease over time. Additionally, the regulation allows for a reduced parking standard when submobility options, such as bike-sharing or public transport incentives, are included in new developments.
Another major advancement is the inclusion of clear guidelines for bicycle parking, ensuring that bicycles are no longer relegated to secondary status. These principles, aligned to government initiatives, are designed to make bicycle use more convenient and appealing for residents.
Collaborative development process
The creation of the new parking regulation was a collaborative effort, involving multiple municipal services, including Space and Housing, Infrastructure, Mobility, Local Tourism, Sports, Education, and Finance. The Municipal Committee for Spatial Planning (GECORO) contributed insights through a dedicated workshop, while the Department of Mobility and Public Works (MOW) and the Province of Antwerp provided valuable advisory support.
In developing the ordinance, Brasschaat drew inspiration from other local authorities, engaging in discussions with the City of Antwerp to refine the regulation’s implementation.
Looking ahead: Evaluation and impact
Although the new parking regulation has been in force only since late 2023, its full impact remains to be seen. The first permits under the updated guidelines have only recently been signed. However, during the drafting process, the proposed standards were tested against real projects to ensure feasibility and compliance. Notably, the bicycle parking standards were already being applied by the Mobility Service, even before receiving formal legal backing.
As Brasschaat continues its journey toward a more sustainable urban environment, this ambitious regulation stands as a testament to the municipality’s proactive approach to addressing modern mobility challenges.
Comprehensive data is available for the first time on shared mobility in Belgium. By the end of 2024, more than 40,000 shared vehicles were in operation, including 21,721 shared bicycles, 18,764 shared scooters, and 8,976 shared cars.
Flanders accounts for the largest portion of shared bicycles, with 64% of the total. Meanwhile, Brussels and Wallonia hold 35% and 1%, respectively. When it comes to shared scooters, the highest concentration is in Brussels, which hosts over half (52%) of the country’s 18,764 scooters.
24 million trips taken on shared bikes and scooters in 2024
Beyond the sheer number of available vehicles, their usage is also noteworthy. Shared bikes and scooters were used for a staggering 24 million rides throughout 2024. Flanders leads in bike usage, accounting for 76.7% of all rides, whereas Brussels dominates scooter usage with 63.6% of all trips.
Nearly 2 million active users
In 2024, there were 722,997 active users of shared bicycles and 1,237,280 users of shared scooters. Preferences for bike-sharing systems differ by region.
In Flanders, nearly 80% of trips involve back-to-many systems with fixed stations, such as Antwerp’s red Velo bikes, which can be dropped off at any designated Velo station. However, only 40% of shared bikes in Flanders belong to this system. In contrast, Brussels users favor back-to-many bikes without fixed stations (i.e. such as those from Dott and Bolt) which can be left at designated drop zones marked in the app. Although these bikes account for less than half of Brussels’ supply, they represent two-thirds of all shared bike trips in the region.
Availability drives usage
An important takeaway from the report is that increased shared bike and scooter availability leads to greater usage. “That is an important conclusion,” says Jeffrey Matthijs, director of Way To Go. Notable trends include the high usage of electric back-to-many bikes without fixed stations in Brussels (4.1 rides per day per 1,000 residents) and those with fixed stations in Flanders (2.9 rides per day). Meanwhile, Brussels stands out for its shared scooter usage, boasting 7.8 scooters and 16.6 rides per day per 1,000 residents.
Brussels leads in shared mobility density
Brussels has the highest density of shared vehicles, with 6.1 shared bikes and 7.8 shared scooters per 1,000 residents. Flanders follows with 2.0 bikes and 1.0 scooter per 1,000 residents, while Wallonia trails with 0.1 shared bike and 0.6 shared scooters per 1,000 residents. “Internationally, the Brussels Region scores better than cities such as London and Rotterdam, but it lags behind frontrunners such as Paris,” notes Matthijs.
Car sharing sees 22% growth
The number of car-sharing users in Flanders has surged, rising by 22% to reach 46,599 active participants in 2024. This figure includes users of round-trip and private shared cars, but excludes free-floating car-sharing services due to a lack of reported data. As a result, the true number of car-sharing participants is likely even higher.
A comprehensive review of shared mobility
The data comes from Way To Go’s latest shared mobility report. While the organization has previously published annual car-sharing figures, this marks the first time bike and scooter sharing have been systematically analyzed.
