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Cycle highwayFlanders

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Flanders. 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.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Flanders

59. Cycle highway

A cycle highway is a high-quality, continuous cycling route designed to provide fast, direct and comfortable travel over longer distances. Cycle highways commonly connect cities, residential areas, workplaces, schools, public transport hubs and other important destinations.

A cycle highway may consist of separate cycle paths, shared paths, quiet roads, bridges, tunnels or other cycling infrastructure. It is therefore not necessarily one continuous type of road. Access rules, priority, speed limits and permitted road users depend on the individual sections and on the local traffic signs and regulations.

Cycle highway
Cycle highway F45. (Oudenaarde, Belgium)
Wikimedia.org • FrDr • CC BY-SA
What is a cycle highway in Belgium?

A Belgian cycle highway, particularly known in Flanders as a fietssnelweg or fietsostrade, is a continuous cycling route intended to connect cities and important destinations using high-quality cycling infrastructure.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 5, 9.1.2, 12, 69 and 71 (recommended cycling routes versus compulsory facilities)

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 5, 9.1.2, 12, 69 and 71 (recommended cycling routes versus compulsory facilities)

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — cycle highways and their route function

Must cyclists use a cycle highway in Belgium?

The fact that a route is designated as a cycle highway does not by itself make its use compulsory. However, an individual section may contain a compulsory cycle path or another road arrangement that cyclists must use according to the applicable traffic signs and rules.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 5, 9.1.2, 12, 69 and 71 (recommended cycling routes versus compulsory facilities)

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 5, 9.1.2, 12, 69 and 71 (recommended cycling routes versus compulsory facilities)

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — cycle highways and their route function

Can speed pedelecs use Belgian cycle highways?

Whether a speed pedelec may use a particular section depends on the type of infrastructure and the applicable traffic signs. Special rules apply because speed pedelecs are legally classified differently from ordinary bicycles.

🔗 codex.vlaanderen.be • Belgian Road Code — articles 5, 9.1.2, 12, 69 and 71 (recommended cycling routes versus compulsory facilities)

🔗 wegcode.be • Road Code of 1 December 1975 — 5, 9.1.2, 12, 69 and 71 (recommended cycling routes versus compulsory facilities)

🔗 vlaanderen.be • Flemish Government — cycle highways and their route function

1 Flanders 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 ...