Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A new Acerta report reveals significant changes in commuting habits in West Flanders, with bicycle usage rising from 28.4% to 43.8% over five years.
Acerta, a company that helps with jobs, has shared its new report about how people travel in West Flanders. According to the report, there are big changes in commuting habits. One finding is that more people are using bicycles to get to work. In the last 5 years, the number of people who bike to work has grown from 28.4% to 43.8%. Many people are choosing to travel in a more eco-friendly way.
According to officials, it is not just those who use bikes all the time. Many workers now switch between biking and driving based on the weather. Also, more people are combining biking with public transport. They mentioned that for example, people might ride their bikes to train stations for longer trips.
How is cycling transforming commuting habits in West Flanders?
Around 16% of all trips in West Flanders are now made only by bicycle. Many people are using bikes as a regular way to travel. Authorities mentioned that better bike paths and programs have made cycling easier and more convenient. It also helps reduce pollution and encourages people to be active.
Local governments and businesses are supporting this change by creating bike-friendly rules and offering incentives. They also promote flexible commuting options. They mentioned that as more people choose to ride bikes, it is likely to become a bigger part of everyday life in West Flanders.
According to Declercq from Acerta Roeselare, there are several reasons why more people are riding bicycles in West Flanders. One big reason is that the government is investing in bike paths and safety measures. He mentioned that they have built “bicycle highways,” which are quick and safe routes for cyclists.
These paths help people travel easily between cities and nearby areas. They make trips faster and focus on keeping cyclists safe. This encourages many more people to use bikes as a reliable way to get to work or other places.
“The various governments in our country have firstly invested a lot in bicycle safety and in so-called ‘bicycle highways’, fast, safe bicycle connections.” Declercq says.
Declercq mentions that e-bikes have improved a lot because of new technology. They now have batteries that last longer and need less time to charge. He said this makes e-bikes a great choice for longer trips, so more people can switch from cars to bikes.
Employers are also helping by offering bicycle leasing programs. They mentioned that these programs allow workers to buy bikes, both electric and regular, with easy payment plans. This makes it cheaper and easier to get a reliable bike.
Even though cycling is becoming more popular in West Flanders, cars are still the main way people travel. About 80% of trips from home to work are by car. This number is a little higher than the average for Flanders and has not changed much over time.
Many workers choose cars because they say cars are easy to use and flexible. Authorities mentioned that cars let people change their travel times and routes to fit their needs. They mentioned that this shows that while more people are starting to use bikes and public transport, cars remain the most common choice for getting around in the region.
What factors contribute to the low public transport usage in West Flanders?
According to Officials, public transport is not a popular choice for commuting in West Flanders. Only 4% of people use it to get to work. There are several reasons for this low number. Passengers mentioned that one reason is that public transport is not available all the time. Many people do not like to depend on fixed schedules and routes for trains, trams, or buses.
The popularity of public transport is partly determined by the supply,
says Deklerck.
The Acerta studied that people in West Flanders live about 21 kilometres from their jobs. This distance is close to the average for the region. Declercq says that even a small change in distance can affect whether someone rides a bike. If the distance is shorter, more people choose to cycle.
Declercq mentioned that better bike paths and more electric bikes make cycling easier. But if the distance is too long, people may not want to bike daily. Small factors like distance can greatly influence commuting choices. Improvements in bike paths and support from employers can help more people use green transport.
That corresponds to the Flemish average,
says Deklerck.
1 kilometre more or less can make the difference whether or not someone goes to work by bike.
