Cycle paths and wider footpaths for Brussels inner ring

Brussels’ inner ring road, which surrounds the city centre, is to be equipped with cycle paths separate from traffic and wider footpaths along its entire length, the region’s mobility minister Pascal Smet has announced. Work has already begun on the first section, the Boulevard Poincaré in Anderlecht, which runs between Rue de la Rosée to near South Station.

According to Smet, who has reached agreements with the municipalities concerned, it will be possible to circumnavigate the entire city centre by bicycle, without having to enter into traffic, in three years’ time.

“Not only will it become safer and more agreeable to cycle, the look and feel of the ring road will also change,” said Smet. “Alongside the canal, a new park is under construction, while on the section between Madou and Trône, food trucks will guarantee a whole new atmosphere.”

Over the majority of the ring, cycle paths will be separate from the rest of vehicle traffic, though where that is impossible, “cycle streets” will be created, where bikes have priority. Those sections include Madou to Arts-Loi, Trône to Porte de Namur and Porte de Hal to South Station.

The whole project consists of 12km of cycle paths and a budget of €25 million, spread over three years. This year sees not only works on Boulevard Poincaré but also the sections Yser-Rogier and Botanique-Madou.

Photo courtesy mobility ministry