UNICYCLING – UNraveling dIfferent CYCLING futures

Exploring today and tomorrow’s cycling diversity in Brussels

Our mission


The urgent challenge facing Brussels today

As the socio-technical system of automobility comes under increasing pressure, the Brussels-Capital Region faces the urgent challenge of reducing its dependence on car-based mobility. UNICYCLING, an Innoviris-funded Prospective Research Project, sets out to explore diverse cycling futures across different Brussels neighborhoods. We aim at identifying pathways toward mobility systems that are not only sustainable and resilient, but also inclusive and accessible to all.

Our vision

Beyond Infrastructure

To explain the modal share, research on cycling has traditionally focused on ‘hard’ factors such as infrastructure (e.g. bike lanes or safety measures) and policy frameworks. While essential, these perspectives only partially explain the difference in modal share for cycling between cities or between different communities within the same city. UNICYCLING adopts a more holistic approach by examining cycling cultures through four interconnected pillars:

Neighbourhoods with a varying cycling infrastructure
Norms & Identities Goals, ends, beliefs Infrastructure & built environment Availability transport modes Bicycle maintenance Able to navigate in urban traffic Vision & priorities Budget allocation Meanings & Perceptions Materials Competences Policy & Planning Cycling cultures
People with a different socio-economic background

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