The car remains the number one means of transportation in Belgium

Whether in number of trips or in distance, the mode of transport most often used in Belgium remains the personal car, according to a vast survey conducted in 2017 with 10,632 people by the FPS Mobility and Transport and Vias Institute.

In terms of the number of trips, the car alone accounts for 61% of trips, compared to 14% for walking, 12% for cycling and 11% for public transport (train, metro, tram or bus).

However, in comparison with previous surveys conducted in 2001 and 2012, there has been a decrease. In 2012, 65% of trips were made by car. This decrease is mainly thanks to the use of the bike, which accounted in 2017 for 12% of trips compared to 8% in 2012, and for public transport (from 9% in 2012 to 11% in 2017).

Walking is less practiced (14% of trips in 2017 compared to 16% in 2012).

Significant differences in behavior are found between the three regions of the country. In Brussels, the car is used by a minority (46%), while public transport and walking are each chosen for 24% of trips. In Flanders, the share of cycling remains remarkable compared to other regions (18% of trips compared to 4% in Brussels and 2% in Wallonia). It is in Wallonia that the car is most used (73% of trips).