Chemin partagéBelgique
Règles de circulation
Belgique
1. Chemin partagé
Un chemin partagé est un chemin ou une partie de route destiné à être utilisé à la fois par les piétons et les cyclistes. Contrairement aux aménagements où piétons et cyclistes disposent de parties clairement séparées, les usagers d’un chemin partagé circulent normalement dans le même espace général.
Comme les usagers peuvent se déplacer à des vitesses très différentes, les cyclistes doivent approcher les piétons avec prudence, adapter leur vitesse et laisser suffisamment d’espace lors du dépassement. Les usagers autorisés, les règles de priorité et les éventuelles limitations de vitesse dépendent de la signalisation et de la réglementation locales.
Which Belgian sign indicates a shared-use path?
The Belgian D10 sign indicates a part of the public road reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
Must cyclists use a D10 path in Belgium?
Yes. When a part of the public road is indicated by D10, cyclists must use that part of the public road.
Must pedestrians use a D10 path?
Yes, when it is accessible and passable. Belgian pedestrians must use a pavement or a part of the public road indicated by D9, D10 or D11 before using the lower-priority alternatives such as verges, parking strips, cycle paths or the roadway.
Do pedestrians and cyclists share the same space on a D10 path?
Yes. D10 reserves the same part of the public road for pedestrians and cyclists, so cyclists must take particular care when travelling among pedestrians.
May cyclists endanger pedestrians on a D10 path?
No. Cyclists using a D10 facility must not endanger pedestrians using that part of the public road and should adapt their speed and position to the circumstances.
Is a D10 path legally a cycle path in Belgium?
No, under the current definition. The current Belgian definition of a cycle path includes facilities indicated by D7 or D9 and certain road markings. D10 is instead a separate part of the public road reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
What is the difference between D9 and D10 in Belgium?
D10 is reserved for pedestrians and cyclists. D9 is legally a cycle path and is reserved for pedestrians, bicycles and two-wheeled class A mopeds under the current Road Code.
Can a class A moped use a D10 shared-use path?
No. The current D10 sign reserves the facility for pedestrians and cyclists. Class A mopeds are included on D9 but not on D10.
Can a speed pedelec use a D10 path in Belgium?
No. Under the current Belgian rules, speed pedelecs may use certain D7 and D9 facilities according to the applicable speed and signage rules, but D10 is prohibited to them.
Can an ordinary electric bicycle use a D10 path?
Yes. An ordinary pedal-assisted electric bicycle that remains legally classified as a bicycle follows the normal cyclist rules and must therefore use D10 where required.
Can pedestrians walk across the full width of a D10 path?
D10 does not assign pedestrians and cyclists separate mandatory lanes. Both categories use the designated part of the public road, so cyclists must anticipate pedestrians using the shared space and pass them safely.
Is there a special speed limit on every Belgian D10 path?
No single nationwide D10 speed limit applies everywhere. Riders must follow the speed limit applicable at the location and adapt their speed to pedestrians and other conditions. In Wallonia, D9 and D10 facilities within built-up areas are subject to a 30 km/h maximum speed.
Can a D10 path cross a roadway?
Yes. Where the facility crosses a roadway, pedestrians and cyclists must follow the applicable crossing, traffic-light and priority rules. The existence of D10 by itself does not give users universal priority at every crossing.
Will the Belgian D10 sign keep the same number in 2027?
No. From 1 June 2027, the new Code of the Public Road renumbers the shared pedestrian-and-cycle facility as D11, while D12 becomes its end sign. The current D10 number will instead be used as an end sign for another compulsory facility.
