About the project

UNraveling
different
CYCLING futures

UNICYCLING is an Innoviris-funded prospective research project exploring diverse cycling futures across neighbourhoods in the Brussels-Capital Region — identifying policy strategies that are robust, equitable, and inclusive for all.

Years

Work packages

Workshops

Project objectives

Four research objectives

UNICYCLING addresses the challenge of reducing car-based mobility in Brussels by exploring cycling as a socio-cultural practice — well beyond infrastructure alone.

Unravel the current cycling cultures in Brussels

WP 1–3

RQ1What is the current policy and planning context encompassing ‘cycling cultures’?
RQ2How are cycling cultures materialised in terms of bicycle infrastructure facilities?
RQ3By whom, when, where and for which purposes is the bicycle used, and how frequently?
RQ4What are the meanings, perceptions and competences associated with cycling?

Construct consistent, plausible and contrasting scenarios of cycling cultures

WP 4

RQ5What key factors of uncertainty on a broad societal level might affect future cycling cultures?
RQ6What consistent and contrasting scenarios can be identified for cycling in Brussels?

Identify robust policy packages for cycling cultures in Brussels

WP 4

RQ8What policy measures relevant to cycling cultures fall within the scope of Brussels policymakers?
RQ9What are the most robust policy packages for cycling, in the face of all possible scenarios?

Identify the impacts of different cycling policy packages on various population groups

WP 5

RQ10How are the positive and negative impacts of different cycling policy packages distributed across society and space in different scenarios, and how can these outcomes mitigate future conflicts between car cultures and bicycle cultures?

Methods

A mixed-method, interdisciplinary approach

UNICYCLING is a three-year prospective project (2026–2029). It combines policy analysis with quantitative, qualitative, and participatory research, drawing on both existing and newly generated data.

For its scenario development, UNICYCLING employs the Cross-Impact Scenario Policy Analysis (CRISPA) method — a structured approach for building plausible, contrasting futures from uncertain socio-technical drivers.

Policy analysis

Mapping the Brussels policy and planning landscape for cycling (WP1)

Quantitative research

OVG7 travel survey data analysis across Brussels communes (WP2)

Qualitative interviews

In-depth interviews exploring meanings, perceptions and competences (WP3)

Participatory scenario building

CRISPA workshops co-constructing futures with stakeholders (WP4)

Stakeholder-based Impact Scoring

SIS method to quantify equity and impacts of mobility policies (WP5)

Project timeline

From 2026 to 2028

A structured journey through five work packages, five stakeholder workshops, and a closing European conference.

Development of preliminary systems map

First collaborative mapping of Brussels cycling culture system with stakeholders

OCT ’26

Adapt & develop established systems map

Refine the systems map based on WP2 & WP3 empirical findings

JUN ’27

W3 & 4

Reflect on potential scenario impacts

Stakeholder deliberation on plausible cycling futures and their consequences

APR ’28

Evaluate impact factors across stakeholders

Final SIS evaluation — quantifying equity impacts of cycling policy packages

JUL ’28

🚲

Closing event

Final conference @ European Mobility Week

September 2028 · Brussels

UNravelingdifferentCYCLING futures