From 16 to 22 September 2026, Brussels will live to the rhythm of Mobility Week. Multimodality, the 50th anniversary of the metro, and Car-Free Sunday will be at the heart of a week designed to experience the city differently.
In Brussels, mobility is not just a question of transport. It dictates access to businesses, shops, jobs, and the overall dynamism of the capital. "Without mobility, there is no economy," summarises Denis Gorteman, CEO of D’Ieteren Automotive. For him, the key challenge is to allow everyone to move around according to their needs by combining the various available solutions. Mobility Week provides the perfect opportunity to test this diversity. On Sunday 20 September 2026, the Brussels-Capital Region will become the largest car-free zone in Europe, according to Brussels Mobility. Pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, and public transport will take over a space usually shared with motor traffic.
The Brussels metro celebrates its 50th anniversary!
This year, Car-Free Sunday coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Brussels metro. Inaugurated on 20 September 1976, it initially connected De Brouckère to Tomberg and Beaulieu. To mark this anniversary, several events are planned across the STIB/MIVB network. An exhibition at Bourse/Beurs-Grand-Place will trace its history through archives, artefacts, and videos. Collector cards will also be available, while the Jacques Brel depot will open its doors to the public—a chance to look back on half a century of the metro at the heart of the capital.
The numbers illustrate the progress made: a 40-kilometre network, around sixty stations, and nearly 400 million journeys per year, according to Brussels Mobility. It is a network that achieves its full potential when integrated with other modes of transport. This evolution is also highlighted by the CEO of D’Ieteren: "The most significant step forward is indeed multimodality, which is now a reality in Brussels." However, this multiplication of transport modes also raises the question of sharing public space. He notably calls for greater investment in infrastructure so that those opting for active mobility can travel in greater safety.
A solution for every journey
At D’Ieteren, this multimodality translates into the development of multiple mobility solutions. Denis Gorteman explains that the ambition is to allow both individuals and businesses to choose how they move "according to their needs at any given moment." Car-Free Sunday thus becomes an opportunity to highlight alternative ways of getting around.
Yet, this logic is not about systematically opposing cars and active mobility. For Denis Gorteman, active mobility is suited to the majority of journeys within Brussels, but not all. Certain professionals remain dependent on cars or light commercial vehicles. The challenge is therefore to create a transport ecosystem fluid enough to meet diverse user needs while offering credible alternatives.
This diversification is reflected across D’Ieteren's activities: shared vehicles with Poppy, bicycles via Lucien, charging solutions with D’Ieteren Energy, and digital tools designed to facilitate multimodality within companies. This evolution aligns directly with the group's declared vision: promoting "fluid and sustainable mobility for everyone."
In May 2027, a second day to open up Brussels
The experimentation will not stop in September. A second car-free Sunday is scheduled for 2 May 2027, subject to approval from the 19 municipalities. It will complement the September event, but with a different philosophy: placing greater emphasis on discovering Brussels, its neighbourhoods, and its local businesses.
Beci supports this initiative, provided it becomes more than a simple duplicate of Car-Free Sunday. Through its Brussels, Open City proposal, Beci advocates for a spring day designed as a moment of openness: shops and outdoor terraces could expand further into public spaces, drawing visitors into various neighbourhoods. The idea is also to encourage Walloons and Flandrians to come and discover the capital in a new light.
Denis Gorteman also supports the principle: Sunday offers a chance to "enjoy the city in a different way than during the week" and to further promote active mobility. Nevertheless, he reminds us that for the rest of the week, cars remain necessary for a portion of daily journeys.
Between Mobility Week, Car-Free Sunday, and the new event announced for May 2027, Brussels is multiplying opportunities to test other ways of moving around and experiencing the city. The challenge remains being able to choose the most suitable mode of transport for every situation, while preserving the accessibility and vitality of the capital.
Smart moves with Poppy!
To celebrate Mobility Month, Poppy Mobility is offering a 10% discount on your Poppy Share and Poppy Taxi rides to and from your event at Beci.
Promo code: POPPYBECI
Valid for 3 trips to or from Beci, until 30 September inclusive.
New to Poppy? Download the app and enjoy your discount right away.