In October, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) participated for the first time in the Academic Bicycle Challenge (ABC), an international cycling competition between universities worldwide. Students and staff took on the challenge – with results: together, they cycled a total of 25,509 kilometres, securing fifth place in the international ranking. As a green and socially engaged university, VUB also aimed to make an impact with this initiative. According to Dixie Van De Wiele, Head of VUB Sport: ‘Cycling offers a solution to two major challenges: the climate crisis and the mobility problems in major cities like Brussels.’
A total of 190 VUB participants registered for the challenge, of whom 127 actually recorded their kilometres. This amounts to an average of approximately 201 kilometres per participant. With this sporting achievement, VUB secured fifth place worldwide, proving that the university has more to offer than just intellectual strength.
With 25,509 km, the university was 5,214 km behind fourth place, the Université de Genève (30,723 km). The gap was wider for the top three: the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice in the Czech Republic cycled 113,687 km, followed by the German universities Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg with 57,808 km and Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal with 48,591 km.
Dixie Van De Wiele, Head of VUB Sport
How does the ABC align with VUB’s mission as a green and socially engaged university?
“Even a simple choice, like cycling more often, can make an impact. Cycling offers a solution to two major challenges: the climate crisis and the mobility problems in major cities like Brussels. By getting more people out of cars and onto bikes, we can make a real difference. ABC is also an opportunity to strengthen the VUB network. The challenge crosses borders and connects us with universities worldwide, providing a great chance to establish new contacts.”
About the Academic Bicycle Challenge
The ABC is an international initiative that challenges universities worldwide to cycle as many kilometres as possible. VUB participants could register and take part throughout the entire month of October.
The university organised various activities on the VUB Main Campus in Etterbeek and the VUB Health Campus in Jette to encourage students and staff to get involved in the competition.
