Thank you very much for sharing this take on the brussels cycling infrastructure. It does spark a good discussion. In my opinion, your arguments are very car centric. You describe people riding an electric bike as higher income, and that to have a bike is a privilege. You also describe how lower income households will only opt for a car, as having both options is more expensive. Having lived car free in brussels for 5 years, i think the opposite is true. The changes are in my opinion a step in the good direction, but they are not radical enough. I think brussels can go way further actually restraining cars more generally, and this will very much benefit the low income households as living car-free in brussels is very much possible. Brussels is by far dense enough to have everything available by car or public transport. I know so many people who have saved massively by living car free in brussels, and this is not because they are rich. On the contrary, even a basic bike can get you everywhere in brussels. Electric bikes are also immensely reducing in price, even new. In decathlon you van get a new longtail for €2000, which is a perfect car replancement. Especially with fuel prices like they are today, combined with low emission zones forcing people to buy more expensive cars. If people need a car, they can use a rideshare company, which is very easy to use. I know a couple where the husband drove his wife to the hospital like this while she was in labour. A few years on and they still haven't bought a car, even from brussels' suburbs. Goes to show that having a car is not necessary for people woth limited funds. About Matongé, i have passed through that community for a couple of years, and honestly i don't think this car use in the streets is a good thing. It's definitely not something to be "treasured". People ride their cars through everything there, and it is just dangerous. In busy moments, the car pileup from the streets you mention can be felt all the way to Etterbeek. It is just not sustainable having an insanely car centric area int he city. Just look at Ukkel, there it's the same thing, but the other way around. Rich people fighting back on cycling infrastructure to have their car dependency, resuling in insanely dangerous streets. Last thing I want to add, is that there are a lot of communities in brussels who have a status image of car ownership. In Schaerbeek we saw heavy cycling infrastructure pushbacks by these people, so sometimes a strong hand is needed in modernizing the streets of brussels. This is why i am very sceptical of community involvement of street design. Let me hear what you think.
@flying_brick9756 lovely input. Much appreciated. Your analysis doesn't necessarily has to cancel with our points. On the contrary, I think they are complementary. To avoid long chats I would say these are things we have experienced and heard from people who are bit struggling with the everyday life. Do we believe cycling is more sustainable, yes! Do I think we have to force it and authoritively imposed on others as good thing? I don't think so. I beleive offering the solutions in caring way will be slower but much more sustainable. As you may have noted, we repetively said - standardised cycling infrastructure! I know it is not in the title like that but, algorithms. I can counter argument, constructively on all your point , but let me put it like this! Buying one expensive piece if furniture is far more ecological and economical for everyone, yet we don't see vulanrable social groups buying their furniture in art crafted furniture store, they still buy from IKEA. Should we be arrogant and tell them, hey you should do it like this, or we should grow together. Figuratively speaking, that is what we are appointing to for Matonge, Abattoir, Molenbeek and so on. Our points may sounded car centric, but people do think like that because they were grinded for 150 years from the car industry. Changing that perception is showing understanding and not arrogance. Paris is achieving something with banning the cars, they are doing great job, but the polarisation between classes is even higher. There are great studies on this. Finally, yes Brusels is super car centric and we suffer from it on a daily base. The point is that if you get to critisice bikes you end up in far less shit than critizing cars, and that's how people see you are genuine. Our humble oppinion. UF, I hate typing bit it worth the fruitful discussion.
Nice videos!! I just found you today! I am working on a research project in university on the topic of public space and the importance of benches, so your videos help me in my research! Also: In Maastricht happening at the Groene Loper right now: There was a highway going through the city just like 5 years ago, now the cars drive underground while the former high way is now a bicycle/ walk path with trees and grass. It is really nice of course. It makes the city more pedestrian friendly. But also the district (wittevrouwenveld) is now being gentrified with really expensive houses (some are still being built), with electric car chargers infront of the house. It is pretty clear who they want around. Also more and more expensive cafes and sport places opening in the district (it was a workers district a while ago and still has a lot of migration background).
Such an interesting case and literally a very relevant point that goes along with this video. We would love to investigate it. if you have more material and you are around the area we can film it together. Than you for sharing this valuable observation.
Yesssss! Feedback. So meaningful for us. Thank you, appreciate your input. Fun fact, :) I have tried cargo bike ones, and it was fun for a first time, but I have never tried it with someone inside the bucket! Thanks again for the feedback.
Thank you very much for sharing this take on the brussels cycling infrastructure. It does spark a good discussion.
In my opinion, your arguments are very car centric. You describe people riding an electric bike as higher income, and that to have a bike is a privilege. You also describe how lower income households will only opt for a car, as having both options is more expensive.
Having lived car free in brussels for 5 years, i think the opposite is true.
The changes are in my opinion a step in the good direction, but they are not radical enough.
I think brussels can go way further actually restraining cars more generally, and this will very much benefit the low income households as living car-free in brussels is very much possible. Brussels is by far dense enough to have everything available by car or public transport.
I know so many people who have saved massively by living car free in brussels, and this is not because they are rich. On the contrary, even a basic bike can get you everywhere in brussels.
Electric bikes are also immensely reducing in price, even new. In decathlon you van get a new longtail for €2000, which is a perfect car replancement.
Especially with fuel prices like they are today, combined with low emission zones forcing people to buy more expensive cars.
If people need a car, they can use a rideshare company, which is very easy to use.
I know a couple where the husband drove his wife to the hospital like this while she was in labour.
A few years on and they still haven't bought a car, even from brussels' suburbs.
Goes to show that having a car is not necessary for people woth limited funds.
About Matongé, i have passed through that community for a couple of years, and honestly i don't think this car use in the streets is a good thing. It's definitely not something to be "treasured". People ride their cars through everything there, and it is just dangerous. In busy moments, the car pileup from the streets you mention can be felt all the way to Etterbeek. It is just not sustainable having an insanely car centric area int he city. Just look at Ukkel, there it's the same thing, but the other way around. Rich people fighting back on cycling infrastructure to have their car dependency, resuling in insanely dangerous streets.
Last thing I want to add, is that there are a lot of communities in brussels who have a status image of car ownership. In Schaerbeek we saw heavy cycling infrastructure pushbacks by these people, so sometimes a strong hand is needed in modernizing the streets of brussels.
This is why i am very sceptical of community involvement of street design.
Let me hear what you think.
@flying_brick9756 lovely input. Much appreciated. Your analysis doesn't necessarily has to cancel with our points. On the contrary, I think they are complementary. To avoid long chats I would say these are things we have experienced and heard from people who are bit struggling with the everyday life. Do we believe cycling is more sustainable, yes! Do I think we have to force it and authoritively imposed on others as good thing? I don't think so. I beleive offering the solutions in caring way will be slower but much more sustainable. As you may have noted, we repetively said - standardised cycling infrastructure! I know it is not in the title like that but, algorithms. I can counter argument, constructively on all your point , but let me put it like this! Buying one expensive piece if furniture is far more ecological and economical for everyone, yet we don't see vulanrable social groups buying their furniture in art crafted furniture store, they still buy from IKEA. Should we be arrogant and tell them, hey you should do it like this, or we should grow together. Figuratively speaking, that is what we are appointing to for Matonge, Abattoir, Molenbeek and so on. Our points may sounded car centric, but people do think like that because they were grinded for 150 years from the car industry. Changing that perception is showing understanding and not arrogance. Paris is achieving something with banning the cars, they are doing great job, but the polarisation between classes is even higher. There are great studies on this. Finally, yes Brusels is super car centric and we suffer from it on a daily base. The point is that if you get to critisice bikes you end up in far less shit than critizing cars, and that's how people see you are genuine. Our humble oppinion. UF, I hate typing bit it worth the fruitful discussion.
Nice videos!! I just found you today! I am working on a research project in university on the topic of public space and the importance of benches, so your videos help me in my research!
Also: In Maastricht happening at the Groene Loper right now: There was a highway going through the city just like 5 years ago, now the cars drive underground while the former high way is now a bicycle/ walk path with trees and grass. It is really nice of course. It makes the city more pedestrian friendly. But also the district (wittevrouwenveld) is now being gentrified with really expensive houses (some are still being built), with electric car chargers infront of the house. It is pretty clear who they want around. Also more and more expensive cafes and sport places opening in the district (it was a workers district a while ago and still has a lot of migration background).
Such an interesting case and literally a very relevant point that goes along with this video. We would love to investigate it. if you have more material and you are around the area we can film it together. Than you for sharing this valuable observation.
Interesting/informative/entertaining. Have yet to see 👀 a cargo bike🤔.
Yesssss! Feedback. So meaningful for us. Thank you, appreciate your input. Fun fact, :) I have tried cargo bike ones, and it was fun for a first time, but I have never tried it with someone inside the bucket! Thanks again for the feedback.