Bike pathFlanders
Traffic rules
Flanders
8. Bike path
A bike path is a part of a road or a separate route intended primarily or exclusively for people riding bicycles. It may be physically separated from motor traffic, marked on the road surface or identified by traffic signs.
Bike paths may be one-way, two-way or shared with other road users. The permitted users, direction of travel, priority rules and obligation to use the path depend on local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • Jeanhousen • CC BY-SA
What is legally considered a bike path in Belgium?
A Belgian cycle path is a part of the public road reserved for bicycles and two-wheeled class A mopeds by the prescribed cycle-path signs or road markings. It is not part of the carriageway.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
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)
Must cyclists use a marked bike path on the right?
Yes. Cyclists and class A moped riders must use a usable bike path marked by two parallel broken white lines when it lies on the right in their direction of travel.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
May cyclists use a marked bike path on the left?
No. A bike path indicated only by the two parallel broken white lines may not be used when it lies on the left in the cyclist’s direction of travel.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
May speed pedelecs use Belgian bike paths?
Where the speed limit is 50 km/h or lower, speed-pedelec riders may use D7, D9 and marked bike paths provided they do not endanger other users. Where the speed limit is higher, they must use an available and usable path of those types. Supplementary signs may impose another rule.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
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.
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)
May motor vehicles cross a Belgian bike path?
Yes, where necessary and permitted, for example when entering a property or turning into another road. A driver crossing a pavement or bike path must give way to the road users legally using it.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
How do Belgians refer to a cycle path?
The official Dutch term is fietspad. The French term is piste cyclable. A legally designated cycle path is separate from the carriageway, even when it runs alongside it.
🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
🔗 wegcode.be • Belgian Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 2.7, 9.1.2, 12.4bis, 69.4 and 74
