Can I ride on the road when there is a cycle path, and can I leave my bicycle on the pavement?
In short
If there is a usable cycle path on your right, you must use it. Leave your bicycle on the pavement or in a bike park, not on the road or in a parking lane, and without getting in anyone's way.
Video transcript
You're cycling to work. There's a cycle path on your right, but the road is smoother. It depends: If there's a usable cycle path on your right, you must use it. Leaving your bike on the road is forbidden too. The right way: Ride on the cycle path. Leave your bike in a bike park or on the pavement, without blocking pedestrians. Traffic fine (1st-degree offence): On-the-spot payment: 64 € + 10,67 €; At the police court: 100 € – 2.500 €; In an accident: Fault may go against you.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- If there is a usable (berijdbaar / praticable) cycle path on your right, you must use it. A cycle path is shown by a D7 sign or by road markings.
- You may not use a cycle path on your left. You may leave the cycle path to turn, to overtake or to get round an obstacle.
- D9 and D10 signs show a path shared by pedestrians and cyclists. Watch out for pedestrians there.
- An advisory cycle lane at the side of the road (fietssuggestiestrook / bande cyclable suggérée) is not a cycle path, so you do not have to use it.
- Leaving your bicycle on the road or in parking lanes is forbidden (unless a sign allows it). You can leave it on the pavement or on the verge (berm), as long as it does not get in pedestrians' way.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Not using the cycle path or parking your bicycle on the road is a 1st-degree offence: on-the-spot fine 64 € (+10,67 € administrative costs).
Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005 (Justel)wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence. At the police court, a 1st-degree offence can lead to a fine of 100 € – 2.500 €.
Legal basis:wegcode.be – Overtredingen per graad
What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 1: On-the-spot payment €64; in court €100 – €2,500. 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
- A bicycle blocking the pavement causes problems for wheelchair users and people with pushchairs
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?
A cycle path separates cyclists from fast-moving cars and reduces accidents. A bicycle blocking the road or the pavement puts pedestrians in danger, especially people with a visual impairment and wheelchair users.
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
Sağdaki kullanılabilir bisiklet yolunu kullanmak zorunlu
KB 1.12.1975 art. 9.1.2, 1° (Justel) - Found in an official source
D7 = zorunlu bisiklet yolu; bisiklet yolu D7, D9 veya çizgilerle gösterilir
KB 1.12.1975 art. 69.3 (D7) ve art. 2.7 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Soldaki bisiklet yolu kullanılamaz
KB 1.12.1975 art. 9.1.2, 1° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Dönmek, sollamak veya engel için bisiklet yolundan çıkılabilir
KB 1.12.1975 art. 9.1.2, 3° (Justel) - Found in an official source
D9 ve D10 yayalar ve bisikletliler için ayrılmış yol
KB 1.12.1975 art. 69.3 (D9, D10) (Justel) - Found in an official source
Bisiklet öneri şeridi bisiklet yolu değil, zorunlu değil
wegcode.be – Fietsers en de wegcode (wegcode açıklama sayfası; 17.10.2026 resmî metinle çelişki bulunmadı) - Found in an official source
Bisiklet araç yolu ve park şeritleri dışında, trafiği engellemeden bırakılır
KB 1.12.1975 art. 23.3 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kaldırıma veya berme bırakmak serbest
wegcode.be – Fietsers en de wegcode (wegcode açıklama sayfası; 17.10.2026 resmî metinle çelişki bulunmadı) - Found in an official source
Art. 9.1.2 ve 23.3 KB 30.09.2005'te listelenmemiş → 1. derece
KB 30.9.2005 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Derecesi belirtilmeyen ihlal 1. derece; anında ödeme 64 € + 10,67 € idari ek ücret (2026)
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
1. derecede mahkeme para cezası 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?