The national bicycle registration system is based on Brussels principles. In the capital, more than 50,000 cyclists have now registered for the system, set up by then Brussels Minister of Mobility Pascal Smet (Vooruit.brussels).
Due to the success of the system, the federal government, the Walloon and Flemish governments have decided to help roll out the Brussels pilot project. Mybike.brussels has been around since 2019.
Former minister Smet is “very happy that Brussels, as often does, sets a good example and is a laboratory of new initiatives. It is yet another example of how Brussels is often ahead of other Regions.”
“Brussels inspires the country,” says current Brussels Minister of Mobility Elke Van den Brandt (Green). “We have worked well with the different regions.” Van den Brandt is confident that the new registration system will also inspire abroad and become “an international star”.
To replace
The new system should replace the old bicycle registration system through engraving of the national register number. Cyclists can voluntarily register in a central database and receive a sticker.
Every Belgian over the age of 13 can register. Users can register all data and characteristics of their bicycle in the database, including proof of purchase, photos and the like.
Attentive citizens can also contribute to combating bicycle theft and even play a role in recovering a stolen bicycle from a neighbor or fellow citizen. By scanning a sticker, passers-by receive information about the bicycle and whether it has been reported as stolen.
Every year, around 100,000 bicycles are stolen in Belgium. Bicycle thefts predominantly take place in public spaces (41 percent in a public bicycle shed, 34 percent on public roads). One fifth of bicycle thefts happen at home, 4 percent in closed bicycle sheds.
