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Seriously, get a bike (1): Brussels street picnic - update

I’m thinking of having a little themed week here on Tumblr, bringing you same bike-related stuff in a little series called ”Seriously, get a bike”. Because let’s face it: biking is awesome.

So, let’s continue where we ended last time. The first Street picnic in Brussels took place on Sunday the 10th of June. About 2,000 people showed up, as you could read in a previous post. Good times were had.

A hard core of activists who wanted actions every week, planned a “Relaxed picnic” yesterday. Apparently, about 20 people showed up. They just stayed on the pavement, the streets weren’t occupied. Pretty relaxed indeed.

The next “official” street picnic will take place this Sunday 24th of June. I wonder how many people will show up. I will.

In the meantime, quite surprisingly, Freddy Thielemans, current mayor of Brussels, has announced that every Sunday afternoon this summer, boulevard Anspach will be car-free between Fontainas and De Brouckère squares! Picnics galore!

MR (I repeat, the main opposition party, generally pro-car), is obviously against this decision (even though their leader, as you no doubt remember, “supported” the first street picnic). Cynics say it’s just a cheap move by the mayor, looking for re-election, giving us this little present so meanwhile he doesn’t have to care about a proper policy.

They are probably right. Mr Thielemans is giving us a nice gift for the summer, but it’s just a token act, not showing any proof of a long-term, comprehensive vision/plan to improve traffic and the quality of life in downtown Brussels. Still, I think we should stay positive, see this as a nice first step, and meanwhile people should stay motivated and keep exerting pressure on our political leaders so that perhaps one day Brussels catches up, gets her shit together and develops a sound, coherent and long-term approach to a sustainable mobility in the city. 

Until then, see you on Sunday.