The province of Antwerp can look back on a successful year for cycling. In 2023, a total of 30,463,852 cyclists were counted by the provincial Bicycle Barometer. Compared to 2022, the number of cyclists in the province of Antwerp increased by 6%. Since the beginning of the counts in 2015, this represents a staggering 59% increase.
Women Cycling in the Province of Antwerp
Since 2015, the provincial Bicycle Barometer has been counting cyclists throughout the year on the regional functional cycling route network."In 2019, we saw a 12% increase in cyclists compared to 2018. Due to the pandemic, this number increased by 1% in 2020, and despite the COVID-19 measures, we still noticed a 2% increase in 2021. In 2022, we broke all cycling records with an increase of over 20%. With a growth of 6%, 2023 is also a very successful cycling year. This trend indicates a growth of more than 59% in cyclists since the start of the counts in 2015," says Deputy Luk Lemmens, responsible for Mobility. "The rising numbers of cyclists confirm that ongoing investments in cycling and cycling policies are paying off."
Top locations
At 9 locations in the province of Antwerp, the provincial Bicycle Barometer counted more than 1 million bicycle movements in 2023:
- 2.260.200 - Mercatorstraat - Antwerpen
- 1.761.996 - Ernest Van Dijckkaai - Antwerpen
- 1.510.924 - Posthofbrug - Berchem
- 1.483.716 - Brusselpoortstraat - Mechelen
- 1.329.721 - O.L.V.laan - Duffel
- 1.288.978 - Kolonel Silvertopstraat - Antwerpen
- 1.254.932 - Desguinlei - Antwerpen
- 1.150.652 - IJzerlaanbrug - Antwerpen
- 1.100.802 - Zurenborgbrug - Antwerpen
A particularly notable increase is observed on the Posthofbrug in Berchem. Compared to the previous year, there is a 35% increase in cyclists. While there were a total of 1,137,470 cyclists on the Posthofbrug in 2022, there are 1,510,924 in 2023. The average number of cyclists on weekdays increased from 3,655 cyclists in 2022 to 4,812 in 2023
Commute Cycling
Various cycling highways (fietsostrades) are also well-utilized. In addition to the significant increase on the Posthofbrug on cycling highway F1, there is also a substantial 13% increase on cycling highway F11 at the bicycle bridge in Boechout. At PIME in Lier, on F17, bicycle traffic increases by 9%. In Bornem, on cycling highway F18 at the Rijksweg, and also on F1 in Hove on Statielei, there is a 4% increase. The list concludes with a 3% increase on F105 in Geel in Rauwelkoven.
Cycling highlights in 2023
Commute Cycling
Various cycling highways (fietsostrades) are also well-utilized. In addition to the significant increase on the Posthofbrug on cycling highway F1, there is also a substantial 13% increase on cycling highway F11 at the bicycle bridge in Boechout. At PIME in Lier, on F17, bicycle traffic increases by 9%. In Bornem, on cycling highway F18 at the Rijksweg, and also on F1 in Hove on Statielei, there is a 4% increase. The list concludes with a 3% increase on F105 in Geel in Rauwelkoven.