Car(e)-free Sunday in Belgium

32 towns and cities across the country banished cars and trucks from their streets for the day as part of the European Mobility Week.

By far the largest area to take part in the car-free Sunday was Greater Brussels, where motor vehicles were banned from the streets in an area covering 162 square kilometres.

Car-free Sunday got under way at 9am with the Brussels Regional Transport Minister Brigitte Grouwels and the Brussels Region Secretary of State responsible for cycling Bruno De Lille cycling from the Schuman roundabout in the European District to the Flageyplein in Elsene.

Cars, vans, and trucks were banished from Brussels' streets until 7pm on Sunday evening.

Only the emergency services, buses, public services vehicles, taxis and those with a special permit were allowed to drive on the capital's roads.

A 30km/h speed limit was imposed on vehicles which were allowed to take to the roads and public transport in Brussels was free of charge for the entire day.

Elsewhere, Belgian towns and cities including Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Mechelen were all free of traffic for the day.

Numerous cultural and educational activities were laid on to keep young and old entertain