Brussels Fire Department Initiates Bike Program for Staff

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Brussels fire department (with Pro Velo) is promoting biking for all staff, offering lessons and bike trials; spokesperson Walter Derieuw calls it a healthy, cost-saving “win-win.”

As VRT News reported, the Brussels fire department is going to use more bikes. But, they won’t use them for emergencies like fires, where they need fire trucks. Instead, firefighters will use bikes for things like going to work, checking buildings for safety, and making routine visits around the city. 

Walter Derieuw, a fire department spokesman, said they want firefighters to bike to work and use bikes for planned safety checks. He mentioned that this helps with less traffic, cleaner air, and keeps the firefighters healthy. 

It also fits with Brussels’ plan to make it easier to bike instead of drive, especially for short trips in the city. Officials mentioned that the aim is to encourage firefighters to bike to work and to use bicycles when they carry out planned safety visits or routine inspections. 

How will the Brussels fire department get more staff on bikes?

According to officials, the Brussels fire department’s bike plan is for everyone, not just firefighters. blank”>This includes office workers, logistics staff, and technical teams. To help, they’re working with Pro Velo, a group that teaches people how to bike safely in the city. 

Pro Velo will give classes on biking skills and safety. They mentioned that the goal is for all staff to use bikes for work, like going to meetings or moving between locations. The fire department wants to show that biking is a good way to get around and to make their employees healthier and more mobile.

The Brussels fire department is giving its workers bike lessons. These lessons teach them how to bike safely in the city. They can also try out different bikes, like regular bikes, folding bikes, and electric bikes. After the lessons, workers can use the bikes for 3 weeks to see which ones they like best.

Walter Derieuw, a spokesperson, hopes this will make more people cycle. He says cycling is good for your health, which is important to the fire department because they want their workers to be healthy in their bodies and minds. 

He mentioned that it also saves money because people don’t have to pay for gas, parking, or public transport. In Brussels, bikes are faster than cars because they don’t get stuck in traffic. Derieuw says it’s a “win-win” for both the workers and the fire department.