Way To Go’s 2024 Shared Mobility report: Growth and trends in Belgium
Way to Go has produced the first comprehensive overview of all forms of shared mobility in Belgium. The report paints the picture of steadily growing trends, making this form of mobility a pivotal component of sustainable mobility in the country.
The 2024 Shared Mobility Report by Way To Go (formerly Autodelen.net), is the most comprehensive overview of shared mobility in Belgium published to date. With nearly 50,000 shared vehicles in operation and 24 million trips taken on shared bikes and scooters, this new report confirms that shared mobility is not just expanding—it is becoming an integral part of urban transport systems.
The key trends
The report highlights key trends across POLIS members Flanders, Brussels Region, and various cities, showing how shared bicycles, scooters, and cars are being used and where the biggest opportunities for growth lie.
In terms of size and composition of fleets, at the end of 2024, Belgium had a total of 49,461 shared vehicles, divided as follows:
- 21,721 shared bicycles
- 18,764 shared scooters
- 8,976 shared cars
The report shows that shared mobility usage continues to increase across all regions, albeit with clear differences in adoption patterns between Flanders and Brussels.
Flanders: Car-sharing growth and strong bike-sharing demand
According to the data collected by Way To Go, shared mobility is steadily expanding across POLIS member Flanders, with car sharing experiencing significant growth. The number of active car-sharing users in the region increased by 22% over the past year, reflecting a shift towards more flexible and sustainable transport options.
The report also highlights Flanders’ dominance in shared bicycle usage, with 76.7% of all shared bike trips in Belgium occurring in the region. This figure shall not come as a surprise considering the region’s longstanding cycling culture and strong infrastructure supporting bike mobility.
While scooter-sharing services are less widespread in Flanders compared to Brussels, they are growing as well. With an increasing number of cities implementing dedicated scooter lanes and parking zones, shared scooters are expected to become a more significant part of the mobility ecosystem.
As it keeps expanding its shared bike schemes, Antwerp is one of the Flemish cities that are experiencing the greatest developments in shared mobility services which include some prominent examples of strengthened car-sharing networks.
Brussels: High-density shared mobility and leader in shared scooters
Brussels continues to boast the most developed shared mobility hub in Belgium, particularly concerning scooter and bike-sharing services.
The capital accounts for 52% of all shared scooters in the country, and 63.6% of all shared scooter trips in the region. These starking figures reflect the high demand for micro-mobility solutions in an urban setting where short, efficient trips are crucial.
Shared bicycles are also widely used, with 35% of Belgium’s shared bike fleet located in Brussels. While this is lower than in Flanders, the city’s high population density and multimodal transport network support strong adoption rates.
Brussels also stands out in shared mobility density, with:
- 6.1 shared bicycles per 1,000 inhabitants
- 7.8 shared scooters per 1,000 inhabitants
Car sharing is well-established in Brussels but, unlike Flanders where station-based and round-trip car sharing prevail, the majority of users in the Capital rely on free-floating car-sharing models, where vehicles can be picked up and parked anywhere within designated zones.
A key factor in Brussels’ success is its strong integration with public transport, allowing residents to combine shared mobility with metro, tram, and bus services seamlessly.
Looking at the future of shared mobility
One of the key insights from the Way To Go report is the strong correlation between availability and usage. The data clearly shows that when shared vehicles—whether bikes, scooters, or cars—are widely accessible, people use them more frequently. This aligns with the findings from The Future of Mobility 5.0 POLIS- ADL report, which highlights how shared mobility plays a critical role in reducing private car dependency.
Both reports emphasize that clear policies and structured collaboration between cities and operators are needed to support a sustainable shared mobility ecosystem. The new Way To Go's report particularly stresses the importance of stability in the shared mobility market. While shared mobility is expanding, recent fluctuations in service availability highlight the importance of long-term strategies to ensure reliability for users.
Another takeaway concerns acknowledging the regional differences in adoption patterns. While Brussels dominates in shared scooters and high-density mobility, Flanders has a strong car-sharing culture and the highest percentage of shared bike trips. Meanwhile, Wallonia remains behind in shared mobility adoption, pointing to an opportunity for expansion efforts in underserved areas.
Finally, Way To Go's analysis aligns again with the research by Arthur D. Little and POLIS in stressing the key importance of integration with public transport. To provide viable alternatives to private cars, shared mobility must be fully integrated into multimodal transport networks.
'Sharing is caring', you have heard this one. This is even more true when we talk about urban mobility where shared vehicles and services can complement public transport to help create healthier, more sustainable cities. Brussels is a leading example of this integration, but more cities need to follow suit.
The report is also available in French and Dutch.
