Tag Archive: brussels

  1. Brussels drastically cuts e-scooter numbers starting February 2024

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    Source: The Mayor.eu

    Starting February 1st, 2024, Brussels is implementing significant changes to its e-scooter landscape. The city plans to reduce the available e-scooters from over 20,000 to just 8,000, exclusively operated by Bolt and Dott. Alongside this reduction, designated drop zones will become the sole spots to conclude a ride on these vehicles.

    To accommodate this shift, Brussels Mobility will increase specially assigned parking spaces for shared mobility vehicles from 1,000 to 1,500 in the coming month. Leaving an e-scooter outside these allocated zones will be prohibited from then on.

    This move aligns with a broader trend across European cities to address the unregulated spread of shared micromobility vehicles, which often encroach on pedestrian spaces in urban areas.

    Brussels Mobility highlighted their commitment to providing the safest and most advanced vehicles to the city’s residents. The fleet, comprising e-scooters, bicycles, and mopeds, will boast 100% zero direct emissions. Moreover, special pricing schemes for various target audiences are in the works.

    With licensed operators finalized, other entities now face the task of removing excess vehicles within a six-week grace period.

    Furthermore, regional authorities have selected operators for shared bikes, mopeds, and cargo bikes, establishing quotas for each category in the city.

    The new regulations take effect on February 1st, 2024, across 11 Brussels municipalities. In the remaining eight, operators will utilize GPS tracking systems to restrict parking to locations sanctioned by local authorities.

  2. Two-seater shared e-bikes could debut in Brussels in 2024

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    Source: The Mayor.eu

    It is possible that the world’s first two-seater shared e-bike will arrive in Brussels early in 2024, following an announcement by French operator Pony that they are included as part of its proposals in response to a recent call for tenders by Brussels Mobility.

    If the contract is awarded, the two-seater Double Pony models would be available outside of France for the first time. It can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, and has a range of up to 100 km when fully charged. They have been designed to cover a distance of 20,000 km over their lifetimes and to withstand harsh weather. Additionally, parts can be interchanged and used to extend the lifespan of other Pony bikes.

    Pony has already been operating in Brussels since 2021 with an offering of one-seater shared e-bikes.

    Guillem Leroux, Pony’s spokesperson, spoke to The Brussels Times about the Double Pony: “This e-bike has been successful in France, where approximately 70% of our users have already experienced it as a passenger.” 

    Pony has also introduced an innovative scheme for the shared soft mobility sector, with its unique “Adopt a Pony” programme. This allows users to buy a bike from the company and then lease it to other users using the corporate platform, and share the profit made with the enterprise. Guillem Leroux explained that, through this scheme, the company aims to redistribute income back into communities.

  3. Call for participation in citizens’ panel on Brussels’ fossil-fuel vehicle ban

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    Source: VUB Mobilise

    The Brussels Capital Region has developed a policy to phase out fossil-fuel-based vehicles, with a gradual phase-out set to lead to a total ban by 2035. EU-funded project TANDEM aims to include a diverse group of citizens in the discussion around the ban to ensure that the transition to electric mobility is inclusive, equitable and just.

    TANDEM seeks to develop recommendations to guide the transition away from fossil-fuelled vehicles, to ensure that the process is well-managed and just, from the perspective of a diverse group of Brussels Capital Region citizens, and will consider the needs of both current and future generations.

    The citizen panel will be comprised of approximately 40 participants, randomly selected and with criteria applied to ensure the group’s diversity:

    • age and gender
    • language
    • education and income
    • mobility behaviour and needs (employment, family composition, general health)
    • the municipality of residence
    • nationality

    The citizen panel will involve three one-day sessions across a year in which participants will discuss the ban of fossil-fuel vehicles in Brussels. Selected participants will be compensated with services/products or vouchers worth up to €60 for each session, plus meals and refreshments provided during each session.

    TANDEM states that: “For this process to be successful, it is important that people with different perspectives answer the survey, so each response is important.”

    Find more information about the citizens’ debate and the affiliated project on the TANDEM website, and view the English language survey here.

  4. Freight Transport Bootcamp coming up in November 2023 at VUB Belgium

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    Interested industry professionals are called to participate in the Freight Transport Bootcamp scheduled for November 17, 2023, to be held at the U-Residence on the VUB Campus in Etterbeek.

    The primary goal of this intensive bootcamp is to delve into the challenges and opportunities that urban freight transport presents. It seeks to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and intricacies surrounding this critical aspect of urban infrastructure. The event will feature interactive workshops, expert lectures, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities.

    The bootcamp’s content spans a wide array of topics, including last-mile delivery, e-commerce, cargobikes, smart transportation systems, and policy interventions. The aim is to equip participants with practical insights to develop innovative and sustainable strategies capable of revolutionizing urban freight transport. These insights are founded on the “8 A’s” framework for creating a more sustainable transport system, which includes elements such as Awareness, Avoidance, Act and Shift, Anticipation of new technologies, Acceleration, Actor Involvement, Adapt behavior, and All in love.

    Importantly, the bootcamp is tailored to cater to a diverse range of participants. Urban planners, transportation professionals, policymakers, logistics managers, environmental enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and individuals passionate about crafting sustainable and efficient urban freight systems are all encouraged to attend. It extends its arms to both industry professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and students eager to explore sustainable transportation solutions.

    Attendees can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions in the realm of urban freight transport. The event offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading experts in the field, engage in collaborative discussions with peers from various backgrounds, and develop practical skills to address real-world problems.

    By participating in this bootcamp, individuals have the chance to contribute to making cities more livable, reducing environmental impact, and shaping the future of urban logistics. It is a valuable opportunity for industry professionals seeking to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field and for students interested in sustainable urban development.

    Please note that registration for the bootcamp is mandatory, with a registration fee of €250 for general participants and a reduced rate of €100 for students.

    Follow the link for the agenda and further information.

  5. Brussels introduces single app for all local mobility services

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    Source: TheMayor.eu

    Brussels has introduced a single app that consolidates all local mobility services, making Floya a valuable tool for your next visit to the Belgian capital.

    Floya, the latest mobile app from the city of Brussels, is designed to cater to the needs of both residents and tourists. Launched recently, this app seamlessly integrates Mobility as a Service (MaaS) by aggregating all public and private transportation options into one user-friendly platform – right on your smartphone.

    This digital tool is a collaborative effort between STIB-MIVB, the local public transit operator, and Brussels Mobility. Together, they aim to enhance flexibility and responsiveness in addressing mobility requirements while encouraging users to shift away from personal vehicles in favor of the diverse range of transportation choices now accessible.

    Gone are the days of cluttering your phone with numerous mobility apps. Floya empowers users to effortlessly plan, book, and pay for various transportation modes within Brussels. Currently, it encompasses the four primary public transportation modes (metro, trams, buses, and trains), as well as various shared scooter, bicycle, and car services. Additionally, it offers the capability to unlock shared mobility devices post-payment and provides real-time information about disruptions or alternate routes.

    As a result, this new app represents an expansion and enhancement of the STIB-MIVB app, intelligently integrating options from the private sector. Its overarching objective is to present Brussels’ mobility services as a unified ecosystem, regardless of the economic interests of individual branches.

    Brussels’ mobility landscape is continually evolving, and Floya is expected to evolve alongside it. A range of exciting new features is in the pipeline, promising users even more choices and convenience.

  6. Brussels Green Deal city logistics deadline for project submission extended to 22 September

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    Source: Mobilise

    Call for projects aimed at reducing logistics emissions across the Brussels-Capital Region remains open until the end of the working week

    As part of Brussels’ Green Deal on Zero Emission Urban Logistics, the call aims to support projects that lack support and cannot see the light of day due to lack of initial funding. It is designed to stimulate collaboration within the Green Deal, and is open to existing signatories, as well as those who wish to sign on at the same time.

    The purpose of the Urban Logistics Green Deal, which was launched in April of this year, is to bring together a community of pioneering organizations that want to move forward faster and further in the transition of logistics in Brussels. At the launch, figures were shared illustrating that, while accounting for only 17% of the kilometres travelled in Brussels, freight transport is responsible for 41% of NOx emissions, 30% of fine particle emissions and 29% of Brussels’ CO2 emissions from transport. Through this Green Deal, the Brussels-Capital Region wishes to support and promote the actions of companies that are pioneers in the transition to low-emission logistics.

    The aim of the call for projects is to:

    • stimulate the Brussels-Capital Region’s Urban Logistics Green Deal
    • support a minimum of 3 projects aimed at reducing logistics emissions
    • fund selected projects to the tune of €10,000 to €300,000 per project
    • support selected projects during the 2024 calendar year
    • support selected projects with the expertise of the Mobilise research group

    For detailed submission information, applicants can head to this page of the environnement.brussels website.

  7. Car Free Sunday arrives on September 17

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    Source: Brussels.be, MobilityWeek.eu

    The annual European Mobility Week takes place this year from 16-22 September, with Car Free Sunday in Brussels on September 17

    European Mobility Week sees participation from cities and regions in 39 countries across Europe, and this year takes on the theme Save Energy.

    In Brussels, the focus of Mobility Week is Car Free Sunday on 17 September, taking place across the City of Brussels and the whole of the Brussels Region. Car Free Sunday applies to all except taxis, scheduled buses, emergency services, police and persons with a special permit. In addition, any vehicles authorised to ride in Brussels during Car Free Day have to respect the maximal speed of 30 km/h. The whole Brussels Region will be closed to traffic from 9:30 am till 7 pm.

    Further afield, World Car Free Day falls on the last day of Mobility Week, September 22, an international event which aims to highlight the numerous benefits of going car-free to citizens, including reduced air pollution and the promotion of walking and cycling in a safer environment.

  8. Brussels suburbs refuse entry to shared e-scooter services

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    Source: TheMayor.eu

    The suburbs surrounding the Belgian capital have recently made the decision to abolish access for e-scooters – in contrast to Paris’s policies, where they have been banned from the city centre’s streets.

    In April, Paris residents voted to ban the e-scooter sharing services within the city, sparking discussions about the potential emergence of this action in other major European cities. Interestingly, in neighbouring Belgium, it’s not the capital region but the tranquil suburbs adjacent to Brussels that are embracing this idea.

    These new changes mean that attempting to complete a journey on an e-scooter across the municipal limits to neighbouring suburbs just isn’t possible.

    E-scooter companies have since urged Flemish local authorities to allow shared micro-mobility services, however these efforts have been met with strong opposition. E-scooter operators like Bolt and Tier are keen to expand into the Flemish satellite municipalities surrounding Brussels due to their proximity to the city centre, unlike the municipalities situated to the south of Brussels, which are more distant from the centre.

    Given that shared e-scooter schemes would improve the mobility integration with downtown Brussels, where many residents work and spend leisure time, this begs the question of why the governments of the municipalities in question refuse to allow this.

    According to The Brussels Times, the smaller local governments are unimpressed by the numerous complaints about reckless speeding and chaotic parking that often accompany the use of shared micro-mobility services.

    Ingrid Holemans, the mayor of Zaventem, a town whose territory includes the international airport of the Belgian capital, simply stated, “We don’t want them.”

    The VIAS road safety institute reveals that accidents involving electric scooters in Belgium have quadrupled over the past two years. Such statistics raise concerns among local officials, who have concluded that e-scooters could disrupt the peaceful nature of suburban life.

    Even in Brussels proper, the future appears bleak for electric two-wheelers. Starting from 2024, only two operators will be allowed to operate within the Belgian capital, each with a cap of 4,000 scooters. Whether this restriction will influence the municipalities to open their doors to these services remains uncertain.

  9. Brussels proposes to reduce shared scooter numbers to 8,000 from 2024

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    Source: vrt nws

    With a current combined fleet of 21,000 scooters in the streets in the Brussels region, a draft decision aims to cut these down to 8,000 and limit the number of operators to 2


    The Brussels government wants to allow a maximum of 8,000 shared scooters in the capital’s streets from next year, vrt reports. With the number currently standing at 21,000, this equates to a reduction of more than 60%. The proposal comes in the form of a draft decision that the government has approved at second reading. From 2024, the government also wants only 2 distributors of shared scooters in the capital. Additionally, there be limits on other shared vehicles, such as bicycles and cargo bikes.

    To combat wild parking, the principle of “drop zones” will be extended to the entire territory of the capital region from January. Scooters will only be allowed to be left behind in those zones. The government also wants heavier fines, or levies for the movement or removal of a vehicle that is left behind, outside of these drop zones. If that is not sufficient, it cannot be ruled out that a strict ban will be introduced at a later stage. This was already stated in parliament a few weeks ago by Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Green).

    Last autumn, Van den Brandt presented the draft decision to regulate the market for shared scooters and bicycles in Brussels. Since then, there has been extensive consultation with, among others, the municipalities and police zones. The draft decree still has to be submitted to the Council of State before the government can start a third and final reading.

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