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Bike pathWallonia

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

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.

Path for cyclists. (Maaseik, Belgium)
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

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

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

1 Wallonia 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 ...