Brussels Bans Cars for a Day as Belgium Sets Record for Car-Free Events
Brussels held its 26th Car-Free Sunday on 20 September, closing the entire Capital-Region to motor vehicles for nearly ten hours. More than 70 Belgian cities and municipalities joined the initiative, a national record, and the regional government plans a second car-free Sunday in 2027.
Brussels brought motor traffic across the entire Capital-Region to a standstill for nearly ten hours on Sunday, 20 September, as the city held its 26th edition of Car-Free Sunday within the framework of European Mobility Week. Between 09:30 and 19:00, private vehicles were barred from the region's roads, leaving the capital's main arteries — normally filled with thousands of cars — to cyclists, pedestrians, runners, roller-skaters and scooter users.
Public transport operated by STIB was free of charge throughout the day, and authorities added capacity to several services to absorb the extra demand. Exceptions were limited to public transport, emergency services, law enforcement, certain taxis and vehicles holding special permits, all of which were subject to a 30 km/h speed limit. While the motorways and the Brussels ring road remained open, car access to the region itself was restricted.
The event this year reached well beyond the capital. More than 70 Belgian cities and municipalities are organising car-free days during September, a national record according to the campaign organisations involved. Participants include Antwerp, Bruges, Leuven, Ostend, Kortrijk, Ypres and Vilvoorde. For the first time, 22 municipalities in Wallonia joined the initiative at regional level, far surpassing the previous record of 53 participating municipalities.
Brussels is now preparing to go further. The regional government has decided to introduce a second car-free Sunday each year, in addition to the traditional September edition. For 2027, the chosen date is 2 May, though it still requires approval from the 19 municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region. Regional Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt has advocated a second such day for several years. Authorities initially intended to tie the new edition to the Region's official holiday, the Fête de l'Iris, but the date under consideration for 2027 coincided with Mother's Day, prompting protests from some residents and traders. The regional government subsequently opted for 2 May.
Support for expanding the scheme appears substantial among residents of the Belgian capital. A survey conducted in April 2026 found that 70 per cent of respondents would like more car-free days. About 21 per cent support at least two such days a year, 24 per cent want a minimum of four, and 25 per cent would back at least 12 car-free days annually.
Environmental organisations argue that such events temporarily reduce pollution and noise and allow residents to see how the city might look with less road traffic. Criticism persists, however. The mobility organisation Touring has opposed the introduction of a second car-free Sunday, arguing that Brussels should invest in reliable public transport, park-and-ride facilities and safe infrastructure instead of spending money on another symbolic event.
