Step 3 of 31The bicycle lane
Step 3 of 31 · 18 rules

The bicycle lane

Where cyclists ride, how cars must treat them, and what a bike zone means.

1. What a bicycle lane is2. Pedestrian and bicycle side by side3. Pedestrian and bicycle one above the other4. White plates5. Cyclists on the footpath6. Cycle lane is not carriageway7. Cyclist crossing8. Rules at a cyclist crossing9. Suggestion lane10. Central road11. End of a cycle lane12. Rules at the end of a cycle lane13. Cyclist groups14. Group of 15–5015. Group of 51–15016. Junctions17. Bike street / bike zone18. Bike zone rules
1

What a bicycle lane is

The round blue sign indicates a path reserved for cyclists and class A mopeds. Here, the cycle path is paved in red alongside the carriageway.
A bicycle lane can be on the left or right of the road and is marked by two parallel broken lines. No car traffic is allowed on it, so cars must not drive between those lines.

The round blue sign indicates a path reserved for cyclists and class A mopeds. Here, the cycle path is paved in red alongside the carriageway.

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A part of the road reserved for bikes and class A mopeds (max 25 km/h). Marked by a blue sign or by two parallel broken lines. It can be red but does not have to be. It sits left or right of the road.
Segregated route for, on the one side for pedestrians, on the other for cyclists and class A mopeds.
Part of the road for the use of pedestrians or cyclists.
§Official source · art. 2.7 · last amended 1991-01-01

Het fietspad maakt geen deel uit van de rijbaan.

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2

Pedestrian and bicycle side by side

Blue sign with pedestrian and bike next to each other: the path is shared, walkers and cyclists use their own side of it (class A mopeds and speed pedelecs also use the cycle side).
§Official source · art. 69.3 · last amended 2010-01-01

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

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3

Pedestrian and bicycle one above the other

Shared path for pedestrians and cyclists together. Mopeds (A or B) not allowed.
§Official source · art. 69.3 · last amended 2010-01-01

Deel van de openbare weg voorbehouden voor het verkeer van voetgangers en fietsers.

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4

White plates

The white underplate with 'B VERPLICHT' beneath the blue cycle path sign indicates that class B mopeds are obligated to use this cycle track.

The white underplate with 'B VERPLICHT' beneath the blue cycle path sign indicates that class B mopeds are obligated to use this cycle track.

A white plate can say when class B mopeds must use the cycle lane, or may not.
§Official source · art. 69.4 · last amended 2016-10-01

Een onderbord van het model M.6. bedoeld in artikel 65.2 moet het verkeersbord D7 aanvullen wanneer het fietspad moet gevolgd worden door de bestuurders van tweewielige bromfietsen klasse B.

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5

Cyclists on the footpath

If there is a cycle lane, cyclists must use it. Inside built-up areas, only children under 10 may ride on the footpath. Outside built-up areas, if there is no cycle lane, cyclists may ride on the footpath or verge on the right.
§Official source · art. 9.1.2 · last amended 2022-10-01

de fietsers van minder dan 10 jaar mogen in alle omstandigheden de trottoirs en de verhoogde bermen volgen.

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6

Cycle lane is not carriageway

You may not drive, wait or park your car on it.
§Official source · art. 2.7 · last amended 1991-01-01

Het fietspad maakt geen deel uit van de rijbaan.

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7

Cyclist crossing

The blue traffic sign is placed next to a crossing for cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds.

The blue traffic sign is placed next to a crossing for cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds.

Two signs show it: a red warning sign about 150 m before, and a blue sign at the crossing. It's a place where cyclists and mopeds cross the road.
Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers (!: placed at the crossing).
1. Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers (!: placed 150m in front of the crossing) 2. Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers at a place where a bicycle lane emerges onto a road (!: placed at the crossing)
§Official source · art. 76.4

De oversteekplaatsen die de fietsers en bestuurders van tweewielige bromfietsen moeten volgen om de rijbaan over te steken, worden afgebakend door twee onderbroken strepen gevormd door witte vierkanten of parallellogrammen.

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8

Rules at a cyclist crossing

Cyclists who want to cross give way to road traffic. Drivers must approach slowly so they don't hinder or endanger anyone already on the crossing. No waiting or parking on the crossing or within 5 m before it.
§Official source · art. 40ter

Hij mag een oversteekplaats voor fietsers en bestuurders van tweewielige bromfietsen slechts met matige snelheid naderen teneinde de weggebruikers die er zich op bevinden, niet in gevaar te brengen en ze niet te hinderen wanneer zij het oversteken van de rijbaan met normale snelheid beëindigen.

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9

Suggestion lane

These red painted strips along the road are cycle suggestion lanes without white markings. They remain part of the carriageway, meaning motor vehicles are allowed to drive, stop, or park on them.

These red painted strips along the road are cycle suggestion lanes without white markings. They remain part of the carriageway, meaning motor vehicles are allowed to drive, stop, or park on them.

A coloured strip painted on the road with no cycle-lane sign and no double broken lines is just carriageway. Cars may drive, stop and park there.
§Official source · art. 74

Het deel van de openbare weg dat afgebakend is door twee evenwijdige witte onderbroken strepen en dat niet breed genoeg is voor het autoverkeer, is een fietspad.

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10

Central road

On a central road, cars use the middle lane demarcated by two parallel broken white lines. Drivers may move onto the side lanes to cross or pass, provided they do not hinder other road users.

A central road

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On narrow roads cars use the middle, bounded by two broken lines. The side strips belong to bikes, class A mopeds and animals. Cars may only step onto them to cross or pass, without hindering anyone. Parking is forbidden in the centre or side lane.
§Official source · art. 9.1.2 · last amended 2022-10-01

Op voorwaarde rechts in de rijrichting te rijden en voorrang te verlenen aan de voetgangers die zich op dit deel van de openbare weg bevinden, mogen bestuurders van rijwielen, bromfietsen klasse A, speed pedelecs, niet ingespannen trekdieren, last- of rijdieren of vee de zijdelingse strook volgen.

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11

End of a cycle lane

The sign warns of a crossing, and also says the cyclists are leaving the lane because it ends.
1. Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers (!: placed 150m in front of the crossing) 2. Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers at a place where a bicycle lane emerges onto a road (!: placed at the crossing)
§Official source · art. 66.4 · last amended 2022-10-01

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12

Rules at the end of a cycle lane

When a cycle lane ends and this blue scooter enters the cobbled carriageway, traffic on the road must give way. Stopping or parking is forbidden within five metres before and after the end of the cycle lane.

A cycle lane that ends

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Cyclists coming onto the road because the lane ends have priority. Do not wait or park within 5 m before or after.
§Official source · art. 12.4 · last amended 2014-03-01

Wordt niet als manoeuvre beschouwd : zich op het einde van een fietspad op de rijbaan begeven om rechtdoor te rijden [ of van rijstrook of van file veranderen bij het ritsen bedoeld in artikel 12bis] .

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13

Cyclist groups

An adult in a yellow vest leads a group of children on bicycles along the street. Groups of cycling tourists have special rights on the road.

A group of cyclists

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Groups of cycling tourists have special rights on the road.
§Official source · art. 43bis.2.1 · last amended 2004-01-01

De wielertoeristen die in een groep van ten minste 15 tot ten hoogste 50 deelnemers rijden, zijn niet verplicht de fietspaden te volgen en zij mogen bestendig met twee naast elkaar op de rijbaan rijden op voorwaarde dat zij gegroepeerd blijven.

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14

Group of 15–50

Tourist cyclists may ride two abreast in a group.

A group of cyclists

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May ride two abreast, on the right lane only, staying together. May have an escort car about 30 m in front and behind.
§Official source · art. 43bis.2.2 · last amended 2004-01-01

Zij mogen voorafgegaan en gevolgd worden, op een afstand van ongeveer 30 meter, door een begeleidende auto; indien er slechts één begeleidende auto is, moet deze de groep volgen.

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15

Group of 51–150

Same, but must be accompanied by at least two road captains and have escort cars front and back (about 30 m away) with a special blue sign.
§Official source · art. 43bis.1 · last amended 2004-01-01

De groepen van meer dan 50 deelnemers moeten worden vergezeld door ten minste twee wegkapiteins.

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16

Junctions

At junctions without traffic lights, a road captain may stop traffic while the group crosses.
§Official source · art. 43bis.3.3 · last amended 2004-01-01

Op de kruispunten waar het verkeer niet geregeld wordt door verkeerslichten, mag ten minste één van de wegkapiteins het verkeer in de dwarswegen stilleggen op de wijze bepaald in artikel 41.3.2., terwijl de groep met inbegrip van de twee begeleidende voertuigen oversteekt.

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17

Bike street / bike zone

Bike street: cyclists first, cars are guests.

A bike street

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Cyclists are the main users; cars are 'guests'. Max 30 km/h, and cars may not overtake cyclists. A bike zone starts and ends at its signs.
Bicycle street.
End of a cyclists street. On 1/8/2021 the traffic sign End of bicycle street will be abolished. A bicycle street stops at the next intersection.
§Official source · art. 22novies

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18

Bike zone rules

No overtaking of cyclists by motor vehicles. Max 30 km/h.
§Official source · art. 22novies

Zij mogen de fietsers evenwel niet inhalen.

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Signs in this lesson

Sign giving orders (or mandatory sign)Obligatory bicycle lane.
Sign giving orders (or mandatory sign)Segregated route for, on the one side for pedestrians, on the other for cyclists and class A mopeds.
Sign giving orders (or mandatory sign)Pedestrians and cyclists only.
Sign giving orders (or mandatory sign)Class B mopeds are obliged to use the bicycle lane.
ggg ( Instruction sign / mandatory sign)Class B mopeds are prohibited to use the bicycle lane.
Information sign (or informative or indication sign)A road or path for the use of pedestrians, cyclists and riders. It may be modified according to the categories permitted.
Prohibitive signNo entry for cyclists.
Warning (or danger sign)1. Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers (!: placed 150m in front of the crossing) 2. Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers at a place where a bicycle lane emerges onto a road (!: placed at the crossing)
Information sign (or informative or indication sign)Crossing for cyclists and moped drivers (!: placed at the crossing).
Information sign (or informative or indication sign)No through roadexcept for cyclists and pedestrians.
Information sign (or informative or indication sign)Bicycle street.
Information sign (or informative or indication sign)End of a cyclists street. On 1/8/2021 the traffic sign End of bicycle street will be abolished. A bicycle street stops at the next intersection.

Test yourself

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EasyWarm-up: the key facts of this lesson, one step at a time.22 questions
NormalTest level: situations and pictures like on the real test.37 questions
HardBeyond the test: exceptions, numbers and spot-the-mistake pictures.16 questions
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