Kortrijk – The Provincial Council has officially greenlit the route for the F7 cycle highway, which will connect Kortrijk and Waregem through Harelbeke in an effort to promote sustainable mobility in the region.
Running alongside the existing railway line, the new cycle highway will also serve the three local stations, improving access and encouraging cycling as a practical alternative to motorized commuting.
Deputy for Mobility Kelly Detavernier (N-VA) noted:
“We now have a roadmap ready to construct the entire 13-kilometer route in several phases.”
The West Flemish Provincial Council approved the Provincial Spatial Implementation Plan (PRUP) for the project yesterday. This move clarifies the detailed alignment of the bike highway and identifies the properties that must be acquired to move forward after years of planning.
“This is an important step forward,” Detavernier commented.
“Thanks to this PRUP, the municipal authorities involved have legal certainty. Thanks to the expropriation plan, the necessary land can be acquired more efficiently.”
“In some places, the cycle highway will resemble a cycle street along existing municipal roads. Where this is not possible, a new cycle path will be constructed,” she added.
The proposed infrastructure will consist of a four-meter-wide asphalt cycling route, supplemented by a one-meter-wide strip on each side to accommodate signage and lighting. An additional four-meter section will be reserved for a drainage ditch and to redirect existing streams. Overall, the route will span a total width of 10 meters.
While the official start date for construction remains undecided, the project is seen as a crucial part of improving sustainable transportation links in the region.
The F7 cycling path follows the railway corridor between Ghent and Kortrijk. With most of the route already completed in East Flanders—where cyclists can ride from Ghent to Waregem—the focus is now on completing the final segment toward Kortrijk. As part of the broader effort, a new bicycle tunnel recently opened on the Zulte section in late April.
How Will the New Cycle Highway Between Kortrijk and Waregem Benefit Cyclists?
The new F7 cycle highway is expected to provide cyclists with a dedicated, spacious four-meter-wide path that enhances safety and comfort by reducing interaction with vehicular traffic. This is especially beneficial for commuters and less experienced cyclists, as it offers a safer and more predictable cycling environment.
The uninterrupted route is designed to cut travel times compared to traditional cycling infrastructure, making daily commutes and longer journeys more feasible by bike.
Additionally, the infrastructure takes into account the growing use of electric bikes and speed pedelecs, which allow riders to travel longer distances at higher speeds. This expanded accessibility supports an increase in regional commuting by bicycle.
By linking Kortrijk and Waregem, the new cycling highway will also improve connectivity between residential neighborhoods, workplaces, educational institutions, and public facilities, thereby enhancing overall regional mobility.
This article was originally published by Eurotoday.
Leave a Reply