BicycleBrussels

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Brussels. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


94. Bicycle

A bicycle is a vehicle with two or more wheels that is primarily propelled by the rider using pedals or hand cranks. Bicycles are used for transport, recreation, sport and the carriage of small loads or passengers when appropriately equipped.

Some bicycles have an electric motor that assists the rider while pedalling. Whether an electrically assisted bicycle remains legally classified as a bicycle depends on its motor power, assistance speed and local regulations. Cyclists must follow the traffic rules, signs, signals and road-use requirements that apply to bicycles.

Bicycle racks at the train station Steinhausen, side view with details of how the bike pedal fits the slot to hold the bike.
Wikimedia.org • Datendelphin • CC0
What is legally considered a bicycle in Belgium?

A Belgian bicycle is a two-wheeled cycle propelled by pedals or hand cranks. Three- and four-wheeled cycles up to 1 metre wide are generally treated in the same way for the applicable cycling rules.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — assisted-cycle categories and conformity requirements

Is an ordinary electric bicycle legally a bicycle in Belgium?

Yes. An electrically assisted bicycle remains classified as a cycle when the auxiliary motor has a maximum continuous rated power of no more than 250 W, assists only while pedalling and stops providing assistance by 25 km/h.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — assisted-cycle categories and conformity requirements

Is a cyclist legally a driver in Belgium?

Yes. A cyclist riding a bicycle is considered a driver and must follow the traffic rules applying to drivers as well as the specific rules for cyclists.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — assisted-cycle categories and conformity requirements

Must Belgian cyclists use a cycle path?

Yes, when an applicable and usable compulsory cycle path is provided. Cycle paths may be identified by the prescribed road markings or signs such as D7 or D9.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — assisted-cycle categories and conformity requirements

Mandatory path for cyclists. Mandatory path for cyclists.

English • Traffic sign D7 • Compulsory cycle track.

Français • Signal routier D7 • Piste cyclable obligatoire.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord D7 • Verplicht fietspad.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Vascer • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 69. Gebodsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 69. Signaux d'obligation (FR)

Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path. Mandatory divided pedestrian and cycle path.

English • Traffic sign D9 • Part of the public road reserved for pedestrians, bicycle riders and two-wheeled class A moped riders.

Français • Signal routier D9 • Partie de la voie publique réservée à la circulation des piétons, des bicyclettes et des cyclomoteurs à deux roues classe A.

Nederlands • Verkeersbord D9 • Deel van de openbare weg voorbehouden voor het verkeer van voetgangers, van fietsen en van tweewielige bromfietsen klasse A.

Sources

SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org
Vascer • Public domain. Original SVG unmodified.

🔗 Wegcode.be • Artikel 69. Gebodsborden (NL)
🔗 Codedelaroute.be • Article 69. Signaux d'obligation (FR)

Is a bicycle helmet compulsory in Belgium?

No. There is currently no general helmet requirement for ordinary cyclists, although wearing an approved bicycle helmet is strongly recommended.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.13–2.15.3, 7ter, 8.2, 9.1.2, 36 and 44.4

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — assisted-cycle categories and conformity requirements

1 Brussels 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Speed bump 12 Customs 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 Mandatory direction 28 Turn prohibition 29 School area 30 Crossing animals 31 Rockfall 32 Curve 33 Chevron 34 Wrong-way driving 35 Roadworks 36 Height limit 37 Width limit 38 Weight limit 39 Radar speed sign 40 Selective barriers 41 Intersection direction sign 42 Priority at the next junction 43 Traffic lights 44 Pedestrian lights 45 Driving licence 46 Location marker 47 Traffic mirror 48 International border 49 Cycling route 50 Parking 51 No parking 52 Kiss and ride 53 Parking meter 54 Traffic management 55 Reversing 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Ring road 59 Cycle highway 60 Licence plate 61 Charging station 62 Dangers 63 Turn on red 64 Identity card 65 Fire risk 66 Pedestrian 67 Moped 68 Car 69 Truck 70 Bus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Tram lights 74 European emission standard 75 Pothole 76 Public square 77 Path 78 Particulates 79 Air pollution 80 Rush hour 81 Road code 82 Street gutter 83 Cargo bike 84 Forestry vehicle 85 Construction vehicle 86 Semi-trailer truck 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Delivery vehicle 90 Idling 91 Tow truck 92 Four-wheel drive 93 No vehicles 94 Bicycle 95 Motorcycle equipment 96 Railcar 97 Rail track 98 Public transport 99 Caravan 100 Trailer ...