THE European Commission is buying a fleet of bicycles to encourage Brussels’ Eurocrats to stop driving to work and between meetings.

Cycle paths, parking spots and changing rooms will be installed for pedalling officials. And the commission is offering from 2007 to pay for half a train/tram/bus pass for any of its 22,000 staff willing to forego coveted access to the institution’s car parks. Commission vice-president Siim Kallas claimed the move would ‘encourage positive changes that have already occurred in our staff’s attitudes and transport habits’. The plan aims to reduce car users from 44% to 35% by 2009, increase public transport users from 38% to 45%, bicycle use and walking to 19%, and to increase car-pooling by 50%.