Limburg cycle route network celebrates its 30th anniversary

This year, Limburg celebrates the 30th anniversary of the cycle route network—one of the province’s main attractions. Recent research by Visit Limburg confirms that cycling in Limburg is popular not only with the Limburgers themselves but also with cyclists from far beyond the provincial borders.

Visit Limburg’s study shows that 90% of cyclists are delighted with their cycling trip in Limburg. This means an increase of 2% compared to the previous research in 2016.

Who are those cyclists?

Of all cyclists, 86% come from Flanders, 11% from the Netherlands, and 2% from Brussels or Wallonia. About 10% of cycling tourists are from Limburg, 20% from Antwerp, 7% from Flemish Brabant, 17% from East Flanders, 14% from West Flanders, and 24% from the Netherlands.

The average age of recreational cyclists has risen from 59 in 2016 to 61. Almost 4 out of 5 people cycle on an e-bike, an increase of 34% since 2016.

Recreational cyclists

The vast majority are local recreational cyclists (74%). In addition, 11% of cyclists are day trippers. They usually live further than 20 km from the bike tour’s starting point. The third category are those who stay overnight in Limburg and also make longer trips on average – 47 km (45 km in 2016).

Most people indicate that relaxation is the main reason for cycling, with ‘staying fit and healthy’ also being an important reason, ‘enjoying the landscape’, and ‘discovering the region’.

For the majority of cyclists (77%), ‘cycling experience’ is one of the reasons to choose a specific route. For 29%, it was even the main reason.

‘Cycling experiences’

Limburg offers four unique cycling experiences: ‘Cycling through the Water’, ‘Cycling through the Trees’, ‘Cycling through the Heath’ and ‘Cycling between the Mine Terrils’.

During cycling trips, 1 in 3 cyclists uses a cycling map and 1 in 4 uses navigation apps. The average bike ride takes 3 hours and 45 minutes, and 64% of respondents take at least two breaks. On average, cycling tourists spend €33.8 per person, translating into a total annual turnover of €100 million, including accommodation costs.

In 2024, bicycle counters in Limburg registered approximately 3.1 million cyclists.

Inventor of the junction network

Years ago, Hugo Bollen, a former engineer at the Kempen Coal Mines (Kempische Steenkoolmijnen), ‘invented’ the now widespread cycling and walking junction network. 

The principle is simple but ingenious. The node network allows walkers and cyclists to map a route, as long and far as they want, and in the direction of their choice, without needing a map or navigation system, by choosing a combination of short trips via the numbered junctions or ‘nodes’.

2,000 km of cycle paths

In the meantime, the network has grown to around 2,000 kilometers of paved, safe, and partly car-free cycle paths in Limburg. On May 27th, Hasselt University will award an honorary doctorate to Hugo Bollen, because “his vision and ingenuity have contributed to an economic boost for the region, but above all, also to a unique connection between people and nature.”