The Flemish government has decided to allow the installation of unmanned speed cameras and average speed cameras in so called cycle zones. These are zones where cyclists have priority over motorists and some other road users. The cameras may also be used to track down speeding cyclists using e.g. speed pedelecs.
A pedelec is a bicycle equipped with a motor. Speed pedelecs have a motor that allows the bicycle to travel at a higher speed. In cycle zones, motorists are not allowed to go faster than 30 kilometres per hour and are also not allowed to pass cyclists. Speed pedelecs can also be fined if they drive faster than 30 kilometres per hour in a cycle zone.
In several cities, many cycle zones have now been set up. These are streets - zones - where cyclists come first. Motorised traffic (cars, mopeds, speed pedelecs) are allowed to drive there, but cannot go faster than 30 kilometres per hour. Cars are also not allowed to overtake cyclists.
However, checking speed offenders in bicycle zones is difficult, as at present offences there can only be detected by officers on the spot. The Flemish government has now decided that unmanned speed cameras or average speed cameras will be allowed in cycle zones.
"In this way, we are giving municipal authorities and police zones more and better opportunities to enforce the speed limit in cycle zones" says mobility minister Lydia Peeters (Flemish liberal/Open VLD).
Not only cars and mopeds, but also speed pedelecs can be fined if they drive faster than 30 kilometres per hour. Speed pedelecs must have a number plate and are allowed to drive up to 45 kilometres per hour.
The Cyclists' Union doesn’t see speed pedelecs as a problem
The Cyclists' Union is in favour of unmanned speed cameras and average speed cameras. "We’ve noticed there are few checks on the speed limit in cycle zones," spokesperson Wies Callens told VRT.
"How many violations there are by speed pedelecs is difficult to determine. Many cyclists have experienced being overtaken by a speed pedelec in a cycle zone. That is permitted, as long as the speed pedelec adheres to the speed limit of 30 kilometres per hour."
Callens does warn against seeing speed pedelecs as a problem. "A speed pedelec replaces a car in traffic, which is a solution to the mobility problem."