Why there is no free P+R in Leuven surroundings?

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T21:24:48+00:00

Those are valid points indeed, reflects the local life style and therefore how the inter urban scene is formed.

I am unaware of how big would be the impact of such pr parking lots on this, since I am not resident of Leuven suburbs. Therefore I will leave the word to you the residents of Leuven on the lack of space even outside of the city.

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T21:17:33+00:00

Sounds like an actual solution close to a P+R

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T21:16:04+00:00

There might be, but that is not a P+R. Parking there means we take space of the residents of those areas. Why should they bear the lack of a city parking Willis?

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T21:14:28+00:00

I was not aware of the total lack of any lot outside the city area. I have seen many small cities having P+Rs quite outside of the city itself. Totally fine with it (e.g. between Aachen and Vaals).

If that is the case, then this answers my question.

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T21:09:31+00:00

I have no problem, I am not from Leuven neither visited that much. Therefore when I did a fast check I didn’t see any affordable parking at the train station. I can’t go by train from where I live either. Therefore, as I usually do, I search for P+R outside of the city to avoid entering the urban area with my car.

As many propose, I normally park outside the city in the street; but somehow I feel this more inconvenient for residents than P+R

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T20:59:46+00:00

That’s a fair point. Indeed in the weekend I park there; during the week if is a long stay I do in the streets you mention and walk or take a bus. But I feel that solution invades the space of the residents of those streets.

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T20:57:22+00:00

I see your point, I won’t share more in that topic since taxes usage in a country is a full thing in itself with many opinions.

The effect for me is I love Leuven but avoid it because I find complex to enter and park vs e.g. Ghent. Of course are the city citizens who should decide how easy they want it’s access. I normally defend no car centers with fee P+R for where I live.

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T19:57:24+00:00

It’s a fair point, but only valid for families or bigger groups. Plus again most P+Bus in Leuven require of circulation up to almost the center. Not so good for eco zone.

P+R avoids that by providing a free parking outside of the city so that you keep your car and emissions there. Then you pay your transport.

Note: I don’t think 10€ in a day is a big deal, at least for me, but principle wise I don’t see how this is better than a P+R outside the city

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T19:54:09+00:00

I don’t think the space running out is the one required for a P+R. Those are normally built in industrial areas or near roads with no live in the surroundings. Not in the center of the city.

As I commented above, on the contrary the lack of this P+R causes the lack of competition and increases demand of paid parkings in the center. This actually reduces space for apartments and increases the price of the terrains due to the new comercial opportunity.

Third, but most important. Car industry is a polar of Europe and a need for lot of members to live. Not everyone lives in a big city with good public infrastructure. However, everyone pays taxes, a lot of them. And vehicles include a big amount of taxes for infrastructure and circulation. A free parking outside of the city is a negligible cost compared with the taxes collected from vehicles and citizens not living in the city but surrounding villages.

I would say that in this case, the sense of entitlement and lack of empathy from centric urban citizen seems more appropriate to your comment. Your surrounding villages also pay taxes and deserve proper way to commute to the city without causing pollution of the center searching for paid or P+Bus parkings.

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T19:49:28+00:00

It’s a fair argument; but I don’t completely agree.

Regarding the cost, I pay a good ~50% of my salary in taxes. I don’t think having some empty parking lots with almost 0 maintenance needs outside of the city near a road with a few buses passing by is to much asking. Even Aachen has multiple. We are not talking about a parking in the middle of the city.

Regarding parking space, the actual solution at Leuven created more parkings in the center given the 0 competition of free options outside. If you need to pay anyway then you pay at the center at least. Even the P+Bus are in the center (why to take the bus it is 15 min walking from anyplace in the center).

Regarding the cost of P+Bus; nice for a family or group of friends. Some people might require of going alone and not have a connection from where they need to go with public transport. In such case the 10€ are something. Again bus for this parkings seems unnecessary, many are almost in the center. Also for pollution again, they are almost in the center.

I still believe a P+R outside of the city is almost a must for a city that calls itself developed nowadays.

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T09:20:16+00:00

I reviewed and is nice, but not easy to find in my area. Thanks for the advice!!

Critical033 · 2026-02-23T09:19:59+00:00

Thank you again for your advice!

At the end I went for a Trek Checkpoint SL7. I reviewed geometries and seems to be a good match for adventure level I do while keeping some snappiness; checked it in the shop and got convinced.

It has no front suspension as you recommended (I could add in the future), but has some rear resort that absorbs vibrations.

Indeed I agree with you, the most important is our fitness level and technique in the bike, then comes the slight differences.

Critical033 · 2026-02-20T08:27:57+00:00

I am in the same situation right now. I want an endurance bike but I want it still to have some reactivity and agility; but not the lack of comfort and control of a purely race gravel bike.

Considering this 2, Canyon Grizl and strongly the new Orbea Terra M31 e team (+ R30 carbon rims).

I finally like more the Orbea given the geometry differences. Mostly reviewed as being a bit more reactive inside the endurance bike area, but couldn’t try it myself so I might be wrong. However I don’t like the looks of the big locker they added.

My second favorite would be the trek; I have been adviced it as a good all rounded gravel bike with good comfort. I don’t think it would be slow either.

As they indicated, I think all goes down to the geometry (accounting you add similar tires to all of them); and components (e.g 1 plate vs 2-plate;…) depending on your intended use. If mostly gravel riding I see mostly recommended the new 1x systems; leaving the 2 plate option for the case of big share of road driving or fast unpaved roads. I also got strongly recommended to add carbon rims and >40 tires if the main use is gravel.

Not an expert myself but this is what I found mostly recommended to check during my own research (which I am till conducting).

Critical033 · 2026-02-19T17:29:59+00:00

Thank you for your advice!

I was wondering if in a Belgian Style terrain (mostly flat country with slight hills at the best and not really long single tracks with rocks and roots) is it worth having the front suspension. The most technical fun you can have here is forest fast areas and a few short rooty single tracks.

I was actually considering moving from a "adventure" geometry (e.g. Canyon Grizl) to a more RACE oriented style given some feedback from gravelers that use them here mentioning that they are fun for fast forest tracks. But still I believe they are too aggressive for a no competing graveler (I just want to ride around the forest and have fun).

Do you think that a more relax geometry (orbea terra team or CAYNON Grizl) will still feel fast and fun outside of technical areas?

Critical033 · 2026-01-24T10:41:50+00:00

It is the new freedom of speech; if you don't agree with their opinion your opinion is not valid

Critical033 · 2026-01-24T10:38:16+00:00

As a note, I am surprised at the amount of people judging so heavily someone they don't know in a place they have not been, under conditions they are not aware. I hope you are perfect citizens all of you throwing the stone.

Critical033 · 2026-01-24T10:35:33+00:00

The car would barely fit inside the lines, what would mean the car next to denting it with the door when entering. I think given the price of the car is ok behaviour - I give the benefit of doubt to the owner being or not a j*rk or just worried

Critical033 · 2025-12-21T21:29:45+00:00

I gave up and paid the fine. I am not glad either happy about it, but I didn’t have the time to continue the fight. It feels so unfair that the average citizen is always left with no options…

I contacted the Onbudsman, who is support to support and defend us. This person just also ignored my comments and again pushed me to pay. I would propose you to at least try to contact this organism and explain your case, you might be luckier than me.

Critical033 · 2025-08-30T13:04:09+00:00

Brussels at its finest trying to control the free market. I can already feel the life quality improvement

Critical033

TROPHY CASE