The European Federation of Bicycle Associations has named the Belgian railroad company NMBS/SNCB, along with the Swiss railroad company SBB, as the continent’s most bicycle-friendly rail companies.
However, the Cyclists’ Union continues to find accessibility problematic, a point that is also apparent when examining the state of Flemish stations from the perspective of a person with a disability. Of the 254 train stations in Flanders, barely 73 are autonomously accessible to persons with disabilities.
88/100
In its annual edition of the ECF Awards, this year hosted in Gdańsk, Poland, the umbrella organization European Cyclists’ Federation gives NMBS/SNCB 88 out of 100 for its bicycle-friendly approach. Together with the Swiss railroad company SBB, the Belgian railroad company scores the highest in Europe.
The Federation gives the NMBS/SNCB such a high score because it provides at least eight spaces per train for bicycles – the European minimum is four. The fixed low price of €4 is also appreciated, as is the fact that NMBS/SNCB is the only company in Europe to indicate via the app in which carriage you can park your bike.
Cyclists’ Union disagrees
The Cyclists’ Union reacts less enthusiastically to the news and even takes a shot at it: Accessibility remains problematic, bike racks are lacking, and shared bikes are not available everywhere.
“Accessibility remains problematic in many stations,” says Wies Callens of the Cyclists’ Union. “Where there are no elevators, a bike chute can provide relief. However, approval of a new design for this has been pending for more than four years. And it’s not because it can be done that many Belgians effectively take their bikes on the train. The numbers remain low.” For your info: of the 245 million train passengers carried by NMBS/SNCB last year, 485,000 bought a bike ticket, 10% more than in 2023.
Bicycle parking facilities at stations are also not included in the study, and it is precisely in this area that NMBS/SNCB strikes a sour note. The management contract requires 100 stations to have controlled access by 2032. “That is far too few and the details remain vague,” Callens says.
Still, according to the Cyclists’ Union, the share bikes or Blue Bikes offered in its stations, although NMBS/SNCB no longer participates in it since 2018, are barely available in the south of the country.
Flanders: Only 29% of stations are accessible to people with disabilities
The accessibility of stations, and especially for a person with disabilities, remains indeed an old shortcoming. The management contract between NMBS/SNCB and the Belgian government includes a plan to have at least 176 autonomously accessible stations by 2032, with a total of 550 stations and stops. But in February last year, 103 stations were fully accessible.
Looking only at Flanders, out of 254 train stations, barely 73 are autonomously accessible for people with disabilities. So, in 71 % of the stations, this is not the case.
Platforms are autonomously accessible if they have a ramp or elevator to each platform, if these platforms are 76 cm high, and are equipped with guidelines for the visually impaired.
Additionally, if at least one accessible ticket machine with an assist button is provided, passengers can immediately contact an NMBS/SNCB employee who can remotely take over the machine’s operation.
The Socialist Party Vooruit is, therefore, requesting a clear timeline for the implementation of the Accessibility Master Plan, with more ambition than just the big stations. Smaller stops must also be adapted.
In a response, NMBS/SNCB stresses that the accessibility of both its stations and trains is a top priority. “According to the agreements made with the federal government, 176 stations will be autonomously accessible by 2032. These are the stations where three-quarters of passengers take the train. For this, NMBS/SNCB is working with the resources promised by the government in the Public Service Contract and the associated investment plan that runs through 2032.”
