If outgoing Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) has her way, the capital will become car-free not once but four times a year. Van den Brandt wants to discuss this with the mayors of the 19 municipalities. A poll also shows that most Brussels residents want several car-free days per year.
In addition to the traditional Car-Free Sunday during Mobility Week in September, when the streets have been closed to cars throughout the Brussels Capital Region since 2001, the Brussels ministers are considering an extra Sunday in the summer, one in the fall, and one in the spring.
The Iris Festival, Brussels’ public holiday that usually takes place around May 8th, would be perfect for this, for example. “If we give the streets back to residents and shopkeepers, everyone can enjoy our Brussels Day to the full,” says Van den Brandt.
Drastic reduction in air pollution
Her cabinet notes that 40% of Brussels households own a car, which is significantly lower than the national average of 70%. “It’s time to restore that balance and let Brussels residents experience more often how pleasant and healthy a city without cars can be,” says Van den Brandt. And there are also health benefits. “During the previous Car-Free Sunday, air pollution fell by almost 90% at certain measuring points and noise levels dropped dramatically.”
According to Van den Brandt, the mayors of the 19 Brussels municipalities were already very supportive of the idea of introducing more than one Car-Free Sunday. “Through the conference of mayors, I want to discuss this again with the municipalities and work with them to see how this can really take shape.”
The majority of Brussels residents are in favor
A survey commissioned by Les Chercheurs d’Air shows that 63% of residents in the Brussels-Capital Region are in favor of more car-free days. Specifically, 17% want at least two car-free days, 25% want at least four, and 21% support at least 12 car-free days.
Support for more car-free days is widespread, among both men and women, but also among car drivers, people who do not own a car, and people with and without children, the organization emphasizes. Only among the over-55s is there no majority (47%) in favor of more car-free days.
According to Les Chercheurs d’Air, introducing more car-free days could be easy. These days could, for example, be linked to days on which certain (sporting) events are planned that already severely restrict traffic, such as the Irish Festival or the 20 km of Brussels.
