2023-04-26 14:04:36
Federal Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) is working on a reform of the highway code which aims to give more space to active modes, he said on Wednesday.
The text should pass a first reading to the Council of Ministers, then to the Council of State during the month of May. This announcement follows a controversy in Flanders. On Sunday, the Hageland police zone in Flemish Brabant imposed fines of 58 euros on no less than 65 different cyclists for not riding on the cycle path.
Currently, the highway code considers that a group of less than 15 cyclists must circulate on the cycle path. Minister Gilkinet specifies that the reform has been in the works for some time. “The objective is to achieve a better balance between road users and to offer more space to active users”according to his spokesperson.
From fifteen to ten
In the proposed reformed Highway Code, the definition of “passable cycle paths” will be refined. When the track is considered impassable, it is authorized to circulate on the roadway. After the reform, the concept will no longer be limited to potholes or infrastructure in poor condition, but may also concern, for example, the presence of dead leaves or dirt on the cycle path. In addition, the number of cyclists necessary to be considered as a group will be reduced from fifteen to ten.
The institute for road safety VIAS welcomes the proposal to define a group from ten cyclists. On the other hand, he considers that the definition of the cycle path “practicable” needs to be further clarified.
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