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As the Mobility Week takes place from 16 to 22 September 2025, transport data reveals how Brusseleirs are quietly reshaping urban mobility. The numbers tell a story of a city in transition – and with Car-Free Sunday on 21 September, we're about to see this transformation in full display. From the evolution of 4 wheels transportation to a 2-wheeled one, to car sharing over car ownership, this is how mobility is evolving in Brussels.
The rise of (e-)bikes
The latest mobility statistics show electric scooters have maintained their steady 2.2km average trip distance since 2022, suggesting users have found their sweet spot for short-distance urban journeys. Meanwhile, cyclists have significantly extended their travel time, with average trip distances increasing by 15% to 3.1km in 2023.
This data suggests that Brussels residents are now using different micro and shared mobility options for distinct purposes. Scooters remain for now the go-to choice for quick, predictable journeys, whilst bikes are increasingly being used for longer explorations across the city. Scooters might see a decrease in use with the possible adoption of a law requiring users to wear a helmet when riding.
Daily rentals of electric bikes in free-floating fleets have also reached 13,889 in May 2025 – a 216% increase compared to May 2024.
This shows a big shift in how Brussels residents think about commute and transport in general. The e-bike boom addresses the cyclist fear in hilly Brussels of arriving sweaty at its destination, whilst maintaining the flexibility and environmental benefits of this mode of transportation.
But then why are rush hours getting slower?
Interestingly, morning rush hour journey times by car increased by 4% in January 2025 compared to the previous year. This might seem counterintuitive given the rise in alternative transport options, but it likely reflects the complex nature of urban mobility transitions.
As more people experiment with different transport modes during peak hours, traffic patterns are shifting. The city's seemingly never-ending roadworks programme may also be contributing to these slower journey times. This combination of factors and the temporary increase in journey times could be seen as growing pains in Brussels' evolution towards more sustainable mobility.
Cycling infrastructures under pressure
Brussels' cycling infrastructure is experiencing high demand. Weekday flows on cycle paths increased by 11% in February 2025 compared to February 2024, with a normalised evolution showing an even more impressive 17% growth.
This rise in cycling activity demonstrates that residents are responding positively to alternative transport options, but it also highlights the need for continued investment in cycling infrastructure to accommodate growing demand safely.
An ownership shift from cars to bikes?
Brusseleirs are making clear choices about personal vehicle ownership with car ownership having declined from 47% in 2022 to 44% in 2025, whilst the ownership for bikes has, on the contrary, risen from 47% to 50% over the same period. For the first time, more residents own bikes than cars, representing a shift in how citizens think about urban mobility.
Sharing is caring
Car sharing services have seen a remarkable growth, with subscription rates doubling from 5% in 2022 to 10% in 2025. This 100% increase proves that in this city, owning isn't interesting anymore with the change in infrastructures and accessibility (both financial and on the streets). People are comfortable enough with access-based rather than ownership-based mobility models, providing them with flexible transport options without the financial burden of vehicle ownership.
Beyond the commute: Living over working
The data has shown that only 20% of all trips in Brussels are work-related, meaning 80% of the mobility in the capital is about living life (visiting friends, shopping, leisure activities, and exploring the city). The rise of home-working is also contributing to making the commuting trips lower than it used to be.
What this could mean for Brussels' future
From the e-bike explosion to changing ownership patterns, with people actively choosing more sustainable, flexible, and diverse transport options with e-bikes, bikes, and car sharing over traditional car ownership.
The 216% jump in e-bike rentals and the growth in cycling show residents want greener, more flexible ways to get around. But longer rush hour times and packed cycle paths show the city's infrastructure is struggling to keep up.
But here's a contradiction: whilst people are choosing alternatives modes of transport, cars still occupy 53.2% of public space. In comparison, less than 5% is devoted to public transport and cycling combined (source).
This mismatch is Brussels' biggest challenge. People are changing how they move around the city, but the streets haven't caught up yet. Car-Free Sunday lets Brussels residents experience life in their city differently like walking, cycling, and exploring without the usual car traffic. Given how transport habits are already changing, this year's edition might feel less like a what might have been and more like a what will be of Brussels' future.
Data source: Observatoire thématique - Site Région Bruxelles Capital: https://be.brussels/fr/transport-mobilite/enjeux-de-la-mobilite/observatoire-thematique