Car-Free Day in Brussels

On a warm September day it starts
At 9 a.m. each driver parks
As Brussels once more sets in motion
Other forms of locomotion.

It’s car-free Sunday once again!
Outsiders all arrive by train
Police cars man the barricades
Making way for street parades.

The traffic lights go red and green
But the invading cyclists seem
To disregard the Highway Code
Going any which way down the road.

Along the boulevard it’s worse
Pedestrians can only curse
As bikes at speed swerve to avoid
Each other; who is most annoyed?

It’s supposed to be a peaceful day
Where trams and roller-blades can play
A useful and a quieter part
In mobility in Europe’s heart.

Instead, bandstands and stalls now line
The routes and music sounds - big time!
At 7 p.m. they let cars through
A quieter option, what think you?

(c) Poet in the woods 2013