Yesterday, Brussels fell silent as the city celebrated its annual Car-Free Sunday. For one day, private cars were banned across the Brussels-Capital Region, leaving streets open to pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users.
The event, which started as a European experiment in 2000, has become a much-anticipated tradition. Residents and visitors alike flocked to the city’s streets to experience urban life without cars.
Data from monitoring stations highlighted the environmental impact of the initiative. At the Arts-Loi station, nitrogen oxide levels (NO and NO₂) dropped by 88% and 62% compared to a typical Sunday.
Compared to weekday levels, the reductions were even more pronounced, at 94% and 74%. Noise levels also saw dramatic decreases, with monitoring near the E40 and E411 showing a 99% reduction in sound.
Camille Thiry, spokesperson for Brussels Mobility, explained the initiative’s purpose. “Car-Free Sunday is about showing what a city without cars can feel like, while raising awareness on sustainable mobility,” she said.
Reactions from residents were mixed but largely positive. Nadia, who spent the day with her family, expressed enthusiasm. “It’s just one Sunday a year. It gives you room to breathe and enjoy the city differently,” she said.
Arlette, a Molenbeek resident who has never owned a car, used the day to run errands and visit a neighborhood market. “I spent my Sunday at a small market with my sister. It’s a chance to enjoy the city differently,” she explained.
Even motorists recognized the benefits. Arton, a regular driver, noted, “I still think Car-Free Sunday is a good idea. It allows people to bike through the city center safely without car disturbances.”
However, not everyone participated enthusiastically. Catherine, a past cycling enthusiast, decided to skip the event this year. “Car-Free Day has become chaotic, and I feel unsafe seeing kids ride without helmets. People need better mobility education,” she said.
Brussels’ low car ownership rates also reflect a long-term trend toward sustainable mobility. More than half of households (56%) live without a car, relying on walking, cycling, and public transport instead.
The roots of the event date back to 1998 in France, under the slogan “in town without my car” (“en ville sans ma voiture”). The European Commission later extended the initiative, and Brussels boldly closed its entire territory to cars in 2002, becoming a pioneer in the practice.
Supported by STIB, which provided free public transport, yesterday’s Car-Free Sunday was not just symbolic. It demonstrated the real benefits of sustainable mobility, cleaner air, and quieter streets, offering residents a glimpse of a city less dominated by vehicles.
Brussels’ Car-Free Sunday continues to be a key event in European Mobility Week, inspiring other cities to consider similar initiatives for environmental, health, and urban quality-of-life improvements.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
