Cycling Week! 27-31 March

Siim Kallas

As a passionate cyclist myself, I am very pleased that cycling facilities (e.g. cycle routes and bicycle parking) are continuously being improved by Brussels local authorities. I am also pleased that more and more people are cycling in our town. Cycling is healthy, environmentally friendly, cheap and – last but not least – the best way of avoiding traffic jams! In my capacity as Commissioner responsible for administrative affairs, and in close cooperation with EUCG, we are doing our very best to offer EU staff the best possible conditions for cycling, and we will go on making improvements. I am pleased to announce an initiative launched by the European Union Cyclists’ Group: on this website you can find detailed information on cycling in Brussels and on facilities in the various buildings of the Commission and the other EU institutions. CYCLING WEEK – March 27th - 31st 2006 During cycling week you can enjoy: ·        A lunchtime conference "Cycling in Brussels: A change for the better" ·        with Brussels Minister for Mobility Pascal Smet (Thursday, 30 March (12.45-14.15), Guimard 1) ·        Several lunchtime bike rides – see article concerning the rides ·        The opportunity to borrow a service bike for the rides.  I am looking forward to our cycling week and hope to meet you on your bike!  Siim Kallas

To celebrate the change-over to summertime we propose a series of guided lunchtime bicycle rides and a lunchtime lecture!

Lunchtime Lecture on Thursday 30 March 12.45-14.15

Lecture by Brussels Capital Region Minister Mr Pascal Smet: "Cycling in Brussels: A change for the better?!"

On Thursday 30 March  12.45-14.15  Mr Pascal Smet will give, at our invitation, a presentation of the efforts made by the Region to improve for cyclists. Please come and listen and ask questions. The presentation will be in French or English.

Place: Rue Guimard 10.   (for room, see screens in the entrance)

Lunchtime bike rides

To celebrate the change-over to summertime the European Union Cyclists' Group proposes a series of guided lunchtime bicycle rides!

An experienced cycling colleague (or two) will take you on a tour of approximately one hour, along routes that are pleasant to ride, and along the way offer some special interest in relation to the Institutions or to facilities for cyclists. We want to show you how nice and efficient cycling can be, and give you all a chance to try the Commission’s and the Parliament’s service bikes.

Please refer to the list below for dates and times. The tours will start punctually, so show up with your bicycle at least 5 minutes early, or make sure you have a service bike with you. More information on Commission service bikes can be found at https://intracomm.cec.eu.int/pers_admin/building_bxl/transp/bikes_en.html.

Service bikes at the Parliament can be borrowed from the guards in at the garage entrance.

Monday 27 March

12.30

From Schuman, bike racks at Berlaymont entrance

Route through bicycle infrastructure in green Schaarbeek 

12.30

From SC 15 (Science, in front of the building)

Route to Porte de Namur and Place Stephanie

Tuesday 28 March

11.30

From Loi 86, parking entrance

Route to Rue de Geneve

12.00

From CSM-2 (in front of main entrance, near Merode)

Route Merode to Stockel along small roads and parks 

Wednesday 29 March

13.00

From Schuman, bike racks at Berlaymont entrance

Route to Beaulieu and back via Promenade Verte 

13.00

From DM 24 (Demot, in front of main entrance) 

Route to Beaulieu and back via Promenade Verte 

Thursday 30 March 

12.45-14.15 

Lecture by Brussels Capital Region Minister Mr Pascal Smet:

"Cycling in Brussels: A change for the better?!"

Guimard 01

Friday 31 March

13.00

From Schuman, bike racks at Berlaymont entrance

Route to Beaulieu and back via Promenade Verte

Hope to meet plenty of you on one of our bike rides! Registration with the guiding colleague is recommended.