Can I cycle side by side with someone, and can I ride the wrong way down a one-way street?
In short
Yes, under certain conditions. On the road, you may ride two abreast, but outside built-up areas you must ride in single file when a vehicle comes up behind you. You may ride the wrong way down a one-way street only if an additional sign allows it.
Video transcript
You're cycling side by side with a friend outside town. A car is coming up behind you. It depends: Two people can ride side by side on the road. Outside built-up areas, you must go single file when a vehicle comes from behind. The right way: Go single file when a car comes. Only ride the wrong way up a one-way street if there's an 'except cyclists' sign underneath. Traffic fine: Wrong way, no extra sign: 191 € + 10,67 €; Side-by-side rule: 64 € + 10,67 €; In an accident: Fault may go against you.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Cyclists and speed pedelec riders may ride two abreast on the road. If an oncoming vehicle cannot pass you safely, ride in single file.
- Outside built-up areas, you must ride in single file when a vehicle comes up behind you. On a cycle path (fietspad / piste cyclable) you may always ride two abreast.
- If there is an additional sign (M2) under the 'No entry' sign (C1) saying 'uitgezonderd fietsers / excepté cyclistes', you may cycle in the opposite direction.
- Without this additional sign, cyclists are also forbidden to ride the wrong way down a one-way street.
- When you ride in the opposite direction, keep as far to the right as possible and watch out for oncoming cars.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Ignoring the 'No entry' sign (C1) where there is no additional sign is a 3rd-degree offence: on-the-spot fine 191 €. Breaking the rule on riding side by side is a 1st-degree offence: 64 €. Administrative costs of 10,67 € are added to both.
Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 39° (Justel)KB 30.9.2005 + wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence. At the police court, a 3rd-degree offence can lead to a fine of 300 € – 5.000 €, and a 1st-degree offence to a fine of 100 € – 2.500 €.
Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 3: On-the-spot payment €191; in court €300 – €5,000; the court may suspend the licence for 8 days – 5 years. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- In an accident, breaking the rules can count against you when liability is shared
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.20 §1
- Drivers may not expect a cyclist coming the other way; slow down at junctions
What do these terms mean?
- On-the-spot payment
- A fixed amount offered by the police. If you pay, the case is closed and does not go to court. If not, the prosecutor takes over; the amount can rise and the case can go to court.
- Police court
- The court for traffic offences and appeals against GAS fines. Despite the name, it is not part of the police; an independent judge decides.
Why does this rule exist?
Cyclists riding side by side on a narrow road block oncoming traffic. Outside built-up areas cars travel fast, and riding in single file makes overtaking safe. One-way streets that cyclists can use in both directions give them a short, quiet route.
Where can you go?
- Municipal driving licence serviceExchanging a foreign driving licence and other licence matters
- Free first-line legal adviceIf you have been summoned to the police court (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 12 / 12 statements in an official source
- Checked: 16.10.2026
- Last checked
- 16.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Bisikletliler ve speed pedelec sürücüleri yolda iki kişi yan yana gidebilir; karşılaşma mümkün değilse hariç
KB 1.12.1975 art. 43.2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yerleşim yeri dışında arkadan araç gelince tek sıra
KB 1.12.1975 art. 43.2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Bisiklet yolunda her zaman iki kişi yan yana
wegcode.be – Fietsers en de wegcode (wegcode açıklama sayfası; 17.10.2026 resmî metinle çelişki bulunmadı) - Found in an official source
C1 altında M2 → yasak bisikletlilere uygulanmaz
KB 1.12.1975 art. 68.4, 1° (M2) (Justel) - Found in an official source
Alt levha izin verirse ters yönden girilebilir
wegcode.be – Fietsers en de wegcode (wegcode açıklama sayfası; 17.10.2026 resmî metinle çelişki bulunmadı) - Found in an official source
C1 = her sürücü için girilmez
KB 1.12.1975 art. 68.3 (C1) (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yolda mümkün olduğunca sağda kalma
KB 1.12.1975 art. 9.3.1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
C1'e uymamak 3. derece
KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 39° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Art. 43.2 listede yok → 1. derece
KB 30.9.2005 + wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Anında ödeme 3. derece 191 €, 1. derece 64 €; idari ek ücret 10,67 €
wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Mahkeme: 3. derece 300–5.000 €, 1. derece 100–2.500 €
wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad (derece ve anında ödeme tutarları Justel KB 30.9.2005 ve KB 19.4.2014 ile karşılaştırıldı, 16.10.2026; 10,67 €, uzlaşma ve mahkeme tutarları bekliyor) - Found in an official source
Kendi kusurunuz tazminatınızı azaltır
BW Boek 6, art. 6.20 §1
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?