Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper): In 2024, Antwerp’s Straatvinken study recorded 726,346 movements across 2,088 locations, maintaining nearly 60% sustainable trips since 2019. Expert Thomas Vanoutrive noted no significant traffic reduction despite a goal to lower car use from 70% to 50% by 2030.
Last year, researchers were happy about Antwerp after a study called Straatvinken showed a 6 percent drop in traffic. Volunteers counted all types of transport, including walkers, for one hour in May. This year, on May 24, the 7th edition occurred, with counts at 2,088 places, recording 726,346 movements. However, traffic levels have not changed much in five years, even with efforts to encourage less driving.
Why has progress in sustainable transport stopped in Antwerp Since 2019?
In 2019 and 2024, counts showed that in big cities like Antwerp, nearly 60% of trips are sustainable, but this hasn’t increased. In nearby areas, less than 20% of trips are sustainable, and that number has stayed the same since 2019. Thomas Vanoutrive, a mobility expert, said that a plan was made in 2017 to reduce car traffic from 70% to 50% by 2030. He noted that we should have seen a 10% drop by now, but the numbers are still the same as in 2017. Traffic inside the Antwerp ring hasn’t decreased since 2019, and while it has dropped in outer areas, it’s not as much as promised.
Traffic and less eco-friendly transport affect people’s satisfaction with their neighborhoods. Researchers say that using greener transport can improve the quality of life. They emphasize the need for more efforts to encourage people to leave their cars at home. Many find driving easier than walking or cycling, and safety is a concern in narrow streets. While some improvements are being made in public transport, cuts are also happening, making driving still seem like the simplest option for many.
