Video: Cyclists met with applause across Belgium

At more than 130 locations across Belgium this morning, cyclists commuting to school or work were treated to a round of applause by members of the cyclists' associations Fiestersbond and GRACQ. With the action, the organisations want to encourage cycling, and point out that businesses, schools, and city councils should do the same.

"We noticed that this action elicited a lot of positive response. An applause team also draws a lot of attention in the street, which means that the action did not go unnoticed by drivers and local policy makers,” says Julie Degraeve, coordinator of the action, in Metro.

"It is also up to businesses, schools and governments to encourage cycling,” she adds. “There is a lot of interest in our cause, so surely we can get more people on bikes.”