Bike thefts in the Belgian capital rose 70% between 2015 and 2022 - and theft could put the brakes on the city's mobility targets.
#Belgium #Brussels #Cycling
#Belgium #Brussels #Cycling
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00:00When it comes to bike safety, this Brussels-based company isn't trying to reinvent the wheel.
00:07But through its patented technology, Lockhee wants to give bike owners a true sense of
00:12security. Using a Lockhee station at one of its nine locations costs around $1 per hour,
00:19or about $16 for a monthly subscription. Insurance for your bike is included, for extra peace
00:25of mind.
00:26It's not a stainless steel arm like you have on the U-lock. We have developed a material
00:31that's almost impossible to cut it through. If you try to cut it through, it's actually
00:36the disc of the angle grinder itself that will get destroyed.
00:40More people are now cycling in Brussels. But security is believed to be a major reason
00:45why many aren't getting back on the saddle.
00:48According to security agency Safe Brussels, reported bike thefts here in the Belgian capital
00:55rose more than 70 percent between 2015 and 2022. There are fears that mobility targets.
01:05The city aims to increase the number of cyclists on the roads threefold by 2030 compared to
01:112018.
01:12The introduction of major parking sites like this is a key part of the plan. More than
01:1813,000 residents are currently on the waiting list for a parking spot.
01:23More than 600 bikes can park here safely. We also increased the safety around the whole
01:30building. And so there are a number of these kind of big parkings in the center of the
01:35city.
01:36Officials say safety is being improved for bikes, but also for riders too.
01:41A lot of people want to bike, and safety is one of the main concerns of why people won't
01:47bike. And if safety is improved, then you have more cyclists on the road.
01:52The city hopes reduced speed limits for motorists and more extensive bike lanes will achieve
01:57just that. But improving parking infrastructure could be key to getting a handle on bike thefts
02:04in the city.
02:05William Denslow, CGTN, Brussels.