Missing link of cycle highway in Moerbeke is ready: "Important for Port of Ghent"

The final missing piece of the F41 cycle highway, connecting Antwerp to the Port of Ghent, is now complete in Moerbeke. This development is seen as a significant improvement for safe and efficient cycling, offering a viable alternative to car travel for commuters heading to major employers like Volvo and Arcelor Mittal.

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Many people want to move around safely, but our roads do not always allow that. With this new link, we make cycling a lot more attractive and safer again. This way, we are building a full-fledged alternative to the car.

A notable feature of the new section is a traffic light system at the Spoorwegstraat intersection. This system is designed to give priority to cyclists, allowing them to proceed without delay while drivers may have to wait longer. "Motorists will have to get used to it, but that is precisely the intention of a cycle highway," said Kurt Moens, deputy for Mobility. "Cyclists must be able to travel smoothly, safely, and quickly."

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People who work in the Port of Ghent, at Volvo or Arcelor Mittal, can now travel in a smooth and safe way.

The project also embraced sustainability by reusing around 100 cubic meters of old track ballast as the sub-base for the cycle path. "This gives the material a second life and reduces waste," Moens noted. "It is a fine example of sustainable reuse of raw materials in Flanders."

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A cycle highway with traffic lights is quite unique, but we want to give priority to cyclists in this way. They can just ride through while motorists have to wait a bit longer.