Works start on first six km of Brussels-Ghent F2 bicycle highway

On Monday, February 20th, the preparational works for an important part of the bicycle highway between Ghent and Brussels started. The F2 bicycle highway runs from Ghent – via Melle, Wetteren, and Aalst, among others – to Brussels. The F2 passes various train stations, optimizing multi-mobility.

Workers began by clearing shrubs and trees near the youth club Castelhof in Dilbeek. The project fits into the program to construct 115 km of new bicycle highways and eliminate missing links.

Optimizing the combination of transport modes

The Flemish authorities first intend to build a six-kilometer stretch of bicycle highway along the Ghent-Aalst-Brussels railway track. It will connect the train stations of Sint-Martens-Bodegem and Groot-Bijgaarden, optimizing the combination of both cycling and public transport. The construction works will take until mid-2024.

“Cyclists will be able to ride comfortably and safely on bikeways, separated from car traffic,” Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters (Open Vld) explained. “By following the railway line, cyclists usually get a flat route with little dangerous crossing traffic.”

Connected with existing infrastructure

The planned construction currently ends at the border with the Brussels Capital Region, where the bicycle highway connects to the local cycling infrastructure. In the future, the bicycle highway is to be extended and connected to the F212 bicycle highway in the direction of Zellik station.

The investment is part of the ‘Werken aan de Ring’ project (Works on the Beltway) and amounts to 9,3 million euros. The Werkvennootschap, the Flemish organization that supports large-scale mobility projects, will finance the largest part. Other partners are Brussels Mobility, Infrabel, and the province of Flemish Brabant, among others.

Animal life

During the construction works, animal safety will be taken into account. Animals present will be monitored, and the yard will be shielded to prevent reptiles from hibernating in the yard and to make sure small animals do not cross the bicycle highway. Ducts underneath the bicycle highway will guarantee safe crossing.