The first symposium at the Hub for Critical Cycling Studies
Conference Co-Organizers:
Andrew Bricker (Ghent University, Belgium) and Martin Zeilinger (Abertay University, Scotland)
Ghent, Belgium
The newly founded Hub for Critical Cycling Studies (a joint initiative of Ghent University and Abertay University) invites presenters to contribute to our inaugural symposium. Join us in taking an active part in envisioning interdisciplinary, self-reflexive, and dynamic futures of cycling research across and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Our theme: Visions for Critical Cycling Studies Futures
Organizing Committee
Andrew Bricker (UGent)
Eva Van Eenoo (UAntwerpen/Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Meredith Glaser (Urban Cycling Institute/UGent)
Martin Zeilinger (Abertay U)
Scientific Committee
Jamie Anderson (Antwerp Management School)
Nick Davies (Glasgow Caledonian University)
Paulo de Assis (Orpheus Institute)
Giselinde Kuipers (KU Leuven)
Nikolaas Van den Steen (Vrije Universiteit Brussel)
Thomas Vanoutrive (UAntwerpen)
Symposium Location
The symposium will largely take place at Ghent’s beautiful public library, De Krook (Platteberg 11, 9000 Gent): https://maps.app.goo.gl/9jhUAxE3sjTz4H4K8
Getting Around
All symposium participants will be given a rental bicycle as part of their registration fee.
There is ample bike parking below De Krook.
De Krook is also centrally located in Ghent, and a short bike ride from any of the recommended hotels (see below).
Ghent is also very walkable, for those not interested in biking, with one of the largest pedestrianized city centres in Europe.
Alternatively, Ghent has an extensive public transit network (https://www.delijn.be/en/), with an easy credit/debit card tap-on system.
Driving is, however, not recommended. Ghent has an extensive Low Emission Zone (LEZ: https://stad.gent/en/mobility-ghent/low-emission-zone-ghent), making the use of a car very expensive and largely impractical.
Taxis are almost always available from Ghent’s main train station, Gent-Sint-Pieters Station/Gand-Saint-Pierre, and are permitted to enter the city centre. A taxi ride from Gent-Sint-Pieters to the city centre/your hotel should be roughly €10-15.
Arrival
By Plane
If arriving by plane, attendees are encouraged to land at Brussels’ main airport, Zavantem (BRU: https://www.brusselsairport.be/en/passengers), which provides direct access to the train line leading to Ghent (ca. 1 hour to 1h20m), rather than Brussels’ discount airport, Charleroi (CRL: https://www.brussels-charleroi-airport.com/en), which is not effectively connected to public transit. Those arriving at CRL will need to book in advance a timed ticket for a Flibco shuttle bus to Ghent (https://www.flibco.com/en), which will drop you off behind Gent-Sint-Pieters Station.
By Train
Ghent is easily accessible by train.
Note that Belgian Rail (SNCB: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en) operates on a commuter model, meaning it is not necessary to buy your train tickets in advance of arrival for domestic travel. You can simply purchase your ticket at any ticket counter or kiosk at any station. The fare from BRU, including the airport surcharge, is about €20.
All of the main train Brussels train stations (Midi/Zuid, Centrale/Centraal, and North/Noord) offer fast and direct access to Ghent.
Ghent has two train stations. Gent-Sint-Pieters/Gand-Saint-Pierre is the main train station, offering easy access to public transit and taxis. From Brussels’ main station (Midi/Zuid), Ghent is about a 30m train ride.
Gent-Dampoort is the smaller station, and is the first stop for trains coming from Antwerp; most trains from Antwerp will then continue on to Gent-Sint-Pieters/Gand-Saint-Pierre.
Public transit in Ghent
After arriving at either Gent-Sint-Pieters/Gand-Saint-Pierre or Gent-Dampoort, you can take public transit (https://www.delijn.be/en/). Google Maps also offers reliable recommendations for transit in Ghent and Belgium more generally. You do not need to buy a ticket in advance for public transit, but can simply tap on with your credit/debit card when boarding (€3).
Hotel Recommendations
The following three hotels are centrally located, a short bike ride or walk to De Krook, and easily accessible by tram for Gent-Sint-Pieters/Gand-Saint-Pierre station. All three are also economy hotels, offering reasonably priced accommodation at at-market prices.
- ibis Gent Centrum St Baafs Kathedraal: Centrally located, opposite St Bavo’s Cathedral. 650m from De Krook (c. 3-minute bike ride; 7-minute walk)
- ibis Gent Centrum Opera: Centrally located, near Kouter square and Opera house. 750m from De Krook (c. 4-minute bike ride; 8-minute walk)
- B&B Hotel Gent Centrum: Centrally located, walking distance to shopping streets and historic sites. 1km from De Krook (c. 6-minute bike ride; 15-minute walk)
For those looking to save a bit of money, we recommend the ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort, which is a short walk from Gent-Dampoort Station (which can be easily accessed via Gent-Sint-Pieters/Gand-Saint-Pierre station for those travelling to Ghent from BRU airport or Brussels). The hotel is located in the former docklands of the city, which have been undergoing massive revitalization. The hotel is about 2km from De Krook (c. 10-minute bike ride; 30-minute walk).
Additional advice for visitors
The city’s official tourism website, Visit Gent (https://visit.gent.be/en), offers excellent advice as well.