On Friday, officials gathered at Schuman Roundabout and held the launch of the European Mobility Week. Pascal Smet, the minister of mobility of the Brussels Region was there, along with Matej Zakonjsek, head of Cabinet (EC Commissioner for Transport) Bulc; Julia Bergstein, Counsellor for Intermodal Questions Transport Section from the Estonian Presidency; Kevin Peel from the Committee of the Regions; Alain Flausch from UITP; Anna Lisa Boni, Secretary General from Eurocities; and Bernhard Ensink, Secretary General from ECF.

Pascal Smet said in his inauguration speech that "we want the heart of Europe, Brussels, to be better for transport and people" and he described how the Brussels Region is working on a better infrastructure in Brussels. A lot of infrastructure projects concerning cycling are being implemented, and we can already see some results, for example, the cycling route in Madou and Porte de Namur.  

This year, 1900 cities are participating in #MobilityWeek campaign, the total of 45 countries from all over the world. "Last year the #MobilityWeek campaign had 2400 cities participating worldwide," says Matej Zakonjsek, Head of Cabinet Bulc. He also stressed that bike sharing and all sharing systems help the European Commission to keep the environment clean and help to save the planet!

The Secretary General from Eurocities, Anna Lisa Boni, pointed out that "cooperation between cities and cyclists will make Europe stronger!" and ECF agrees.  After the speeches, there was the official launch of the #SharingGetsYouFurther video which will be displayed in 3 locations in Brussels through the whole Mobility Week.

Following the launch of the video, there was a bike ride led by Pascal Smet to Tour and Taxi where the #BikeSalon was held. At the inauguration of the #BikeSalon, Pascal Smet emphasized that "Brussels is no longer a city for cars, but a city for bikes and for people". Bianca Debaets, State Secretary of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Development Cooperation and Road Safety, underlined the importance of road safety and moderation of the traffic.

In the end, Pascal Smet, Bianca Debaets, the ECF Secretary General and other officials cut the ribbon as the official launch of the #BikeSalon.