Brainport pedals on by bike

On Monday, September 21, the focus at the Philips Stadium was not on football, but on the bicycle. Around 230 administrators, employers, policymakers, and mobility experts gathered during the Brainport Bike Summit around one question: what is needed to make the bicycle the logical choice more often in Brainport? The Summit marked the conclusion of the second Brainport Bike Week, featuring ten days full of cycling activities. During the afternoon, Catharina Hospital and the Municipality of Bergeijk were named Brabant's Cycling Employer and Most Bicycle-Friendly Municipality of 2026, respectively.

Representatives from virtually all Brainport municipalities, major educational and healthcare institutions, and employers such as ASML, Philips, and DAF were all present at the Philips Stadium. Isabelle Prohn, program manager at organizer Brainport Bereikbaar, is pleased with the broad interest: “We all see the opportunities presented by the rapid growth of the Brainport region. But we also know that pressure on roads, parking spaces, and commuting is increasing. Something needs to be done to keep the region accessible, and the bicycle can be an important part of the solution. The fact that our Summit was so well attended shows that this urgency and ambition are widely felt.”

Getting down to concrete work

During the Brainport Bike Summit, it didn't stop at ambitions. After Eindhoven Municipality Alderman Robert Strijk and DAF COO Jos Habets shared their vision and experiences, the participants got to work themselves. In various breakout sessions, they worked on topics such as cycling culture and policy, facilities, behavioral change, vitality, and cycling data. They exchanged experiences, forged new connections, and initiated follow-up steps together. Prohn: “We can only accelerate together. The Summit has given that another significant boost. We will pick up on what has been set in motion here in the coming period, so that we continue working together to make it easier and more attractive to take the bike for short trips and commuting.”

Winners of Brabant Bicycle Elections announced

During the Summit, the winners of the Brabant Cycling Awards were also announced. The Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven was named the Brabant Cycling Employer of 2026. Esther van Garderen, Director of the Dutch Cyclists' Union, explained on behalf of the jury: “At the Catharina Hospital, cycling is truly embedded in the organization: in mobility, sustainability, and vitality. With good facilities and continuous activation, this employer is building a strong cycling culture, with visible results: more and more employees are taking to their bikes.” The Municipality of Bergeijk can call itself the Most Bicycle-Friendly Municipality of 2026. Van Garderen: “Bergeijk shows that a bicycle-friendly municipality is about more than just good bike paths. By investing in a strong cycling network and ensuring that as many residents as possible can participate, the municipality is building a genuine cycling culture.” The other awards went to ASML (Ambition Award), Park Zuiderhout in Teteringen (Innovation Award), and DAF Trucks in Eindhoven (Impact Award).

Ten days cycling

The Summit was the culmination of the second Brainport Bike Week. For ten days, nearly 30 activities were spread throughout the region showcasing what is already happening and, above all, how much fun cycling is. For instance, participants rode during By bike through the world of DAF Across the normally inaccessible factory grounds, children had their bikes customized in PSV style and students competed against each other during the Dutch National Student Cycling Championships.

Pedalers on mobility

Following the Summit, Doortrappers took place, a talk show hosted by Humberto Tan about sustainable mobility towards Brainport 2035. In addition to a review of Brainport Bike Week, the evening also marked the launch of the new Mobility Booster Foundation. This foundation brings together leaders from business, government, and knowledge institutions four times a year to further accelerate sustainable mobility in Brainport.