As the weather gets sunnier, the number of bicycles on the road increases. However, some drivers have forgotten how to share the road with cyclists and are not always aware of changes in the Highway Code, such as the principle of cycle streets. To raise awareness, the GRACQ, an ASBL representing cyclists and defending their interests, carried out an action on rue Notre Dame where a cyclist was knocked down by a motorist a few days ago, in the middle of a cycle street. A cycle street is a road where bicycles have priority and cars are tolerated, with a speed limit of 30 km/h. The city of Namur has five cycle streets, but ignorance of this concept can lead to frustration and sometimes even aggressive or violent behavior.
Boris, a cyclist who was knocked down by a motorist in a cycle street, suffered injuries such as sprains, hematoma, and torticollis, and is now forced to rest. He faces difficulties dealing with aggressive behavior towards cyclists during his trips, and believes that road infrastructures are primarily designed for cars, reinforcing the feeling of being in conquered territory.
The city of Namur is aware of the problem and plans to reinforce the vertical signage with horizontal pavement markings. However, the police are concerned that the markings will make the area slippery, and a study is being conducted to see what is done in other municipalities. Alderman Stéphanie Scailquin, in charge of mobility, hopes to implement new pavement markings in the summer. The GRACQ suggests that cycle streets should be properly laid out, with markings on the ground, speed bumps to enforce the speed limit, better signage, more visible, and didactic panels to make it clear to motorists where they are.
According to the Vias institute’s latest road safety barometer, in 2022, of the 521 people who lost their lives in Belgium, more than one-third were pedestrians or cyclists. Boris believes that we need to think on a larger scale and consider the consistency of certain measures, such as creating a large underground car park in the city center and wanting a pedestrian zone, which may generate more conflict and not help install soft mobility.
With the return of sunny days, you will come across more bikes on the roads. But some motorists have lost the habit of cohabiting with two-wheelers, and above all, they are not always aware of changes in the Highway Code. Like the principle of cycle streets, for example.
On Friday, the GRACQ, the ASBL which represents cyclists and defends their interests, carried out an awareness-raising action on rue Notre Dame, where a motorist knocked down a cyclist a few days ago. Right in the middle of a cycle street. The principle of these routes is still unknown, notes Denis Lobet, member of the GRACQ.
A cycle street is a street where bicycles have priority, and where cars are tolerated. It’s a 30 km/h street, where bikes can ride where they want, and cars can’t pass them.
The city of Namur has five. Ignorance can lead to misunderstandings or frustration, which sometimes lead to aggressive or even violent behavior.
Boris was driving in this street when a motorist knocked him down regarding ten days ago. Result : sprain, It islengthening, deep hematoma on the tibia, torticollis, forced rest, and interrogations. “The car bumped into my bike, picked up a bit of momentum and sped off without asking for its rest. I had the feeling of being like an insect on a windshield. ice and you don’t think regarding it anymore. I often experience aggressive behavior in my bike trips, but at this point, I find it difficult to understand.”
If efforts are made, especially during road redevelopment projects, there is still a long way to go. “Today, it must be noted that the facilities are designed primarily for the car, everything reinforces this feeling of being in conquered territory” continues Boris.
A better knowledge of the principle of these streets, five in number in Namur, would help to avoid misunderstandings.
The city, aware of the problem, wants to reinforce the vertical signage, that is to say the signs, with horizontal signage, on the ground. But police fear the marking might make the area slippery. She still has to carry out her study, in particular by going to see what is being done in other municipalities. Alderman Stéphanie Scailquin, in charge of mobility, is counting on a new ground marking for the summer.
For the GRACQ, we must go further. “We are very happy to have these streets in town” Denis Lobet explained. “But they have to be laid out correctly. With markings on the ground, but also the placement of speed bumps, to enforce the 30 km/h limit, better signage and very explicit, more visible didactic panels.” To make it clear to motorists where they are.
According to the Vias institute’s latest road safety barometer, of the 521 people who lost their lives in Belgium in 2022, more than one in three victims were pedestrians or cyclists.
For Boris Vranken, knocked down rue Notre Dame, it is above all necessary to think on a larger scale. “You have to think in a broader perspective. I wonder regarding the consistency of certain measures, such as creating a large underground car park in the city center and wanting a pedestrian zone in this same city center. If we continue to bring cars downtown and make their lives easier, while at the same time taking measures that will annoy them, that will generate more conflict and that will not help the installation of soft mobility.”
As we head into the warmer months, it’s important for both motorists and cyclists to remember the proper way to share the road. Unfortunately, as seen in the recent incident on rue Notre Dame, not everyone is aware of the principles of cycle streets and misunderstandings can lead to dangerous situations. While efforts are being made to increase awareness and improve infrastructure, such as through new ground markings and speed bumps, it’s also important to take a broader perspective and consider how we can prioritize soft mobility options like cycling and walking in our cities. By working together, we can make our roads safer for everyone.
