How much space must I leave when I pass a cyclist?
In short
You must leave at least 1 metre in built-up areas and at least 1,5 metres outside them. In a cycle zone (fietszone), you may not overtake cyclists at all.
Video transcript
There is a cyclist in front of you. You want to pass. Required: Leave at least 1 m in built-up areas and at least 1,5 m outside them. The right way: If you cannot leave that space, stay behind. Never overtake in a cycle zone. Fine notice (3rd-degree offence): Too close, 3rd degree: 191 €; Cycle zone, 1st degree: 64 €; At court: 300–5.000 €, possible ban.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- When you pass a cyclist, leave at least 1 m of space alongside them. Outside built-up areas, this distance is at least 1,5 m.
- If you cannot leave enough space, stay behind the cyclist. Take extra care with children and older people on bikes.
- In a cycle zone (fietszone / zone cyclable, formerly called fietsstraat / rue cyclable), motor vehicles may not overtake cyclists. The speed limit is 30 km/h.
- In a cycle zone, cyclists may use the whole width of a one-way road and the right half of a two-way road.
- When you get out of a parked car, look behind you before opening the door. Endangering pedestrians and cyclists is forbidden.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Not leaving 1 m of space for a cyclist is a 3rd-degree offence: on-the-spot fine of 191 €. Overtaking in a cycle zone or opening a door carelessly is a 1st-degree offence: 64 €.
Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 30° (Justel)KB 30.9.2005, art. 2-4 + Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §2 (Justel)
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence. In the police court, the fine for a 3rd-degree offence can be about 300 € – 5.000 €.
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 (Justel)Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 + KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 30° (Justel)
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
- The judge can impose a driving ban of 8 days to 5 years
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §1, 3° (Justel)
- If you have held your (category B) licence for less than 2 years, a driving ban is mandatory
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §5 (Justel)
- The vehicle's insurance pays for an injured cyclist's personal injuries, regardless of who was at fault; your insurance premium may go up
Legal basis:WAM-wet 21.11.1989, art. 29bis §1 (Justel)
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 cyclist can swerve sideways because of a pothole or the wind, and a car passing too close will knock them off. A door opening suddenly can also bring a cyclist down; these accidents cause serious injuries.
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
- 15 / 15 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 15 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Bisikletliye en az 1 m; yerleşim yeri dışında en az 1,5 m
Verkeersreglement art. 40ter (Justel) - Found in an official source
Çocuk ve yaşlı bisikletliye iki kat dikkat
Verkeersreglement art. 40ter (Justel) - Found in an official source
Fietszone: motorlu araç bisikletliyi sollayamaz, en fazla 30 km/s
Verkeersreglement art. 22novies (Justel) - Found in an official source
Eski 'Fietsstraat' yazılı F111 levhaları 2035'e kadar fietszone başlangıcı için kalabilir
Verkeersreglement art. 85.32 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Fietszone'da bisikletli yolun tamamını / sağ yarısını kullanır
Verkeersreglement art. 22novies (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kapıyı açmadan önce diğer yol kullanıcılarını kontrol etme
Verkeersreglement art. 28 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Art. 40ter lid 1–4 ihlali 3. derece (1 m kuralı listede açıkça var)
KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 30° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Art. 22novies ve art. 28 2./3./4. derece listelerinde yok → 1. derece
KB 30.9.2005, art. 2-4 + Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
1. derece 64 €
FOD Mobiliteit – Onmiddellijke inningen: verhoging 1.7.2026 - Found in an official source
3. derece anında ödeme 191 € (1 Temmuz 2026'dan beri)
FOD Mobiliteit – Onmiddellijke inningen: verhoging 1.7.2026 - Found in an official source
3. derece mahkeme para cezası kanunda 240–4.000 €
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kanundaki tutar 1,25 ile çarpılır (2,5 ek ondalık) → 300–5.000 €
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 + KB 30.9.2005, art. 3, 30° (Justel) - Found in an official source
2. ve 3. derece ihlalde hâkim 8 gün – 5 yıl ehliyetten men verebilir
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §1, 3° (Justel) - Found in an official source
Ehliyeti (B) 2 yıldan yeni olana men zorunlu ve sınav şartı
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 38 §5 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Motorlu aracın karıştığı kazada yaya/bisikletlinin bedensel zararını aracın sigortası öder
WAM-wet 21.11.1989, art. 29bis §1 (Justel)
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?