Brussels Mobility started constructing a new cycle path on a major road in the municipality of Woluwe-Saint-Lambert over the weekend. Once completed, it will provide a safe connection for cyclists between Flanders and the Belgian capital.
The construction of the new cycle path on the busy Boulevard de la Woluwe, between the regional border and the junction with Avenue Emile Vandervelde, started on Saturday 4 May. The east side of the grand avenue will be transformed into a separated two-way cycle path.
"The new connection offers an alternative for commuters, who will soon be able to cycle from Zaventem to the Tram Museum in comfort and safety via a separate two-way cycle path," said Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen).
Once the works have been finalised, the cycling path will form the "missing link" between the Flemish C202 bicycle lane from Zaventem and the existing cycling infrastructure on the rest of boulevard.
The works are expected to take around 15 days and the project will initially be carried out as a test phase. After another evaluation, the bicycle path can be made permanent through a building permit application. "It is very important to evaluate in consultation with residents concerned before the infrastructure becomes permanent," said Gregory Matgen, Councillor for Mobility in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
Champion for cyclists
The move comes after Woluwe-Saint-Lambert said that it wanted to improve the municipality's cycling infrastructure post-pandemic. It made several concrete proposals for better cycle paths on regional roads. Most of these suggestions will be implemented by the end of May, adding more than ten kilometres of new cycling infrastructure in the area.
The commune also built its own bicycle lanes on municipal roads and signposted cycling routes were also created, running through the municipality and complementing the regional cycling network.
"Woluwe-Saint-Lambert is clearly one of the champions to further develop the cycling network," Van den Brandt said. "Across political boundaries, we have seized every opportunity to promote mobility alternatives and improve road safety."
