BicycleWallonia
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.
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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
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

Traffic rules
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