Vélo-City 2009 @ Tour & Taxis

"Vélo-City" began in 1980 in Bremen. The name "Vélo-City" is a small play on words using the French word for bicycle - vélo, and "Vélo-City" can also be read as velocity or speed. In its almost 30 years of existence, the conference was hosted by major European cities such as London (1984), Barcelona (1997) and Paris (2003) and smaller fore-runner cycling cities.

The Brussels-Capital Region

The bicycle is one of the major focus points of the mobility policy for Brussels. 25% of all journeys carried out in the city are less than one kilometre and 60% are less than five. The potential of cyclists within the city is therefore huge. During this parliamentary term, numerous measures have been taken to promote cycling. The creation of cycling infrastructure and a greater awareness are producing excellent results already: the number of journeys carried out by bike is constantly increasing. We need to pick up the pace and make the city accessible to cyclists wherever possible. Organising the Velo-city conference will help us speed up all the projects we have undertaken to make Brussels a bike-friendly city.

Evening bike ride

Tuesday 12th May, you will have the possibility to participate at an evening bike ride from 6.00pm to 8.00pm in the heart of Brussels: the city for cyclists! The city also belongs to cyclists so from 500 to 1,000 people will be cycling along an 11 km route through Brussels. All participants will receive a small gift from the Brussels Capital Region.

Bike Festival: Sunday 17th May 2009

This year, "the Bicycle Party", organised from 11am to 6pm, will be held at the Tour and Taxis site, as will the "Velo-City" conference. Numerous activities will be organised during the day: a second-hand bicycle sale, bicycle dealer stands, "Expo Velo-City" (an exhibition organised for the "Velo-City" conference, themed around the bicycle and open to everybody. A test area will be installed inside the exhibition site for trying out the bikes on display as well as the 'wacky' bikes), dedicated information stands about bicycle theft-prevention, tourism, mobility, renewable energy and the environment, a skills testing course for children and adults, the chance to hire town bicycles and bicycles adapted for people with reduced mobility, minor repairs and training workshops, guided cycling, walking and boat tours, the café Velo-city, entertainment: brass band, BMX shows, circus acts, etc., open day at the Ecole du Cirque de Bruxelles (50 m away),...

The conference: "RE-CYCLING CITIES"

"Velo-City 2009" wants to insist on the role that cycling plays in urban areas. Cities are faced with a considerable amount of challenges, such as traffic congestion, road safety, greenhouse gasses, air and noise pollution as well as health-related issues. One of the key factors in creating habitable cities is an integrated sustainable transport system, and cycling plays a prominent role in this. The characteristics of bicycles prove that cycling is an undeniably urban mode of transport: bicycles take up very little place, they're quick for short distances, they don't cause pollution and they're quiet, healthy and cost-effective. This important challenge of giving cycling a proper place in urban mobility policies has given rise to the theme of "Velo-City 2009": "RE-CYCLING CITIES". But that is not all, the passion for biking will not stop there... Others events are proposed you during the bike week: "Brussels Chopper Day", "Beliris Photo Competition", "Fold-Up Bicycle Race", "Bicycle Lift", "After Party",... From Tuesday 12th to Sunday 17th May 2009, Brussels will be the place to be for all cyclists !