Brussels Region Europe’s largest car-free zone for one day

On Sunday, Mobility Week concludes in Brussels with Car-Free Sunday. From 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., the entire Brussels Region will be closed to unlicensed cars, making the Region once again the largest car-free zone in Europe for one day. The Brussels Region covers 162 square kilometers and comprises 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels. Its population is over 1.2 million.

Mobility Week is a European Commission initiative to promote active modes of transport in all European member states and inform citizens about the benefits of sustainable mobility. This year, European Mobility Week is all about the public space.

Free public transport

During Car-Free Sunday, the capital’s roads will be open only to public transport, cabs, coaches, emergency services, disabled people with a card, the diplomatic corps, and public utility vehicles. However, the speed limit for cars allowed to drive is 30 km/hour.

On Car-Free Sunday, MIVB/STIB transportation is entirely free in Brussels, and visitors can also use De Lijn buses free of charge. Meanwhile, the NMBS/SNCB offers a ‘Mobility Ticket’ for an eight-euro round trip, valid on the entire railroad network.

Various activities

Concerts, giant parades, and brass bands will glorify Brussels folklore on the Grand Place and in the historic center. The Brussels-Capital-Elsene police zone will have a police village on Place De Brouckère.

At the same time, in the Dansaert district, cultural institutions, such as the Brooks and the Beursschouwburg, will welcome young and old for a festive playground, brunch, or street party. The new streetcar line 10, connecting Neder-Over-Heembeek to the south of Brussels, will also be inaugurated.

Brussels Mobility warns that even after the end of Car-Free Sunday at 7 p.m., specific neighborhoods may still be closed for events and activities. Therefore, do not rush into Brussels at 7 p.m. to avoid long traffic jams and safety problems.

It also points out that traffic regulations continue to apply to cyclists and vulnerable road users on Car-Free Sunday. Furthermore, “pedestrians belong on the sidewalk” and “all tunnels are closed to traffic and prohibited for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Last year, the Brussels Car-Free Sunday reduced NOx by 77% to 97%.

‘More relevant than ever’

Not only Brussels organizes a Car-Free Sunday, but more than 50 Flemish municipalities do the same. Both large center cities, such as Ath, Kortrijk, Leuven, and Genk, and smaller municipalities, such as Harelbeke, Wijnegem, Bilzen, and Muizen, participate.

According to the non-profit organization Mobiel 21, “With climate change and the growing focus on livable and resilient cities and towns, car-free days are more relevant than ever.”Most municipalities hold their car-free day on Sunday, September 22nd, as the official start of Mobility Week. This year, 52 Belgian cities and municipalities are organizing a Car-Free Sunday.

In the European context, more than 1,900 cities from 43 countries are participating in European Mobility Week, including eight Japanese cities, three Peruvian cities, and cities in Argentina and Ecuador.