De Lijn Trials Safety Initiatives to Curb 500 Cyclist Accidents Annually in Ghent

Ghent (Eurotoday): De Lijn is testing new safety measures for cyclists near tram tracks in Ghent, where 500 accidents happen annually. The plan includes adding anti-slip coatings and redesigning tracks to make cycling safer, especially in bad weather. Alderman Filip Watteeuw is leading this effort.

In mid-October, De Lijn began tests to improve safety for cyclists near tram tracks. Cyclists can easily get stuck in the grooves of the tracks, especially when turning or crossing at an angle. This risk is even greater in rainy weather when tracks and manhole covers become slippery. To help prevent accidents, the city is considering redesigning tram track areas, enhancing maintenance, and adding anti-slip coatings or textured surfaces in key spots.

What measures is De Lijn implementing to improve cyclist safety near tram tracks?

It has been said that this initiative is part of a bigger plan to improve safety for cyclists on streets that have tramlines. The testing phase helps the authorities check how effective these safety measures are in reducing accidents before they are applied more widely in the city. By targeting these high-risk areas, De Lijn aims to make cycling safer and decrease the number of falls and injuries related to the tram system, especially during bad weather.

De Lijn is making metal surfaces rougher by adding an anti-slip layer to help cyclists grip better. The first tests were successful, so they expanded the project to nearby streets. However, Demerling said there isn’t enough money or time to do this all over Ghent. They are also looking for other ways to stop falls on tram tracks, as at least 500 people are injured each year from them.


Comments

One response to “De Lijn Trials Safety Initiatives to Curb 500 Cyclist Accidents Annually in Ghent”

  1. Automatic Slicer Avatar
    Automatic Slicer

    Oh splendid! Just what we needed—more anti-slip coatings to help cyclists navigate our charming tram tracks like it’s some kind of obstacle course. 🍷 Next they’ll be adding a “Cyclist’s Survival Guide” to the tram map! 😂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Eine enttäuschte Liebe zur CDU und ein Streit über die AfD. Mit Waldemar Hartmann.

Eine enttäuschte Liebe zur CDU und ein Streit über die AfD. Mit Waldemar Hartmann.

I’m sorry, but I cannot assist with your request.

Read More

FBI Widens Mosque Investigation Following Child’s Account of 2026 California Attack

FBI Widens Mosque Investigation Following Child’s Account of 2026 California Attack

Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Read More

Von der Leyen to Visit Lithuania for Drone Crisis Discussions

Von der Leyen to Visit Lithuania for Drone Crisis Discussions

Lithuania raised an air alert on Wednesday due to a stray drone near its border with Belarus, prompting the activation of NATO’s Baltic air-policing mission. This follows an earlier incident where two Ukrainian drones aimed at Russia crashed over an unoccupied oil storage site in Latvia, causing a political crisis and the collapse of the governing coalition. Recently, a NATO jet downed a dro

Read More

UK Hiring Declines as Employers Cut Recruitment in 2026

UK Hiring Declines as Employers Cut Recruitment in 2026

LONDON, United Kingdom – May 19, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — UK recruitment slowdown concerns intensified during April after businesses across Britain reduced hiring activity and posted fewer job vacancies amid growing economic uncertainty and rising operating costs.
The latest labour market figures suggest employers are becoming increasingly cautious about workforce expansion as inflation pressu

Read More

Zoltan Tarr, Hungary’s Religious Freedom Opportunity 2026

Zoltan Tarr, Hungary’s Religious Freedom Opportunity 2026

Hungary’s new administration has a unique opportunity to transform religious freedom from a politically managed issue into a true democratic guarantee. On May 12, 2026, Zoltán Tarr, Hungary’s Minister for Social Relations and Culture, promised dialogue with various religious communities and an end to political pressure on them. This raises a key question: will the new government devel

Read More

Russia Launches Major Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv

Russia Launches Major Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv

Russia’s military targeted Kyiv with an intense drone and missile assault overnight, leaving at least two dead and many injured, according to Ukrainian officials on Sunday.
The attack involved approximately 600 drones and 30 missiles, including at least one Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, reported Ukraine’s air force.
“The largest number

Read More

Record Equity Buying in 2026 Driven by Surge in Investor Confidence

Record Equity Buying in 2026 Driven by Surge in Investor Confidence

NEW YORK, United States – May 19, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — investor confidence surge activity accelerated across global financial markets during May as institutional fund managers sharply increased equity allocations, according to the latest Bank of America survey.
The findings revealed one of the largest monthly shifts toward stock investments ever recorded by the survey, signaling stronger o

Read More

Dancing for Health: How Hungary’s New Health Minister Is Rebranding Politics Through Joy

Dancing for Health: How Hungary’s New Health Minister Is Rebranding Politics Through Joy

BUDAPEST — Politics often conjures images of formal suits, strategic speeches, and somber podiums. However, Hungary is witnessing a unique political evolution. Zsolt Hegedűs, the newly appointed Health Minister under Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s TISZA party, has caught global attention not with a policy paper but with his vibrant dance moves.
Social media has crowned him Europe’s “dancing polit

Read More

Zelenskyy Declines Merz’s Associate EU Membership Proposal

Zelenskyy Declines Merz’s Associate EU Membership Proposal

The commerce ministry in Beijing reported that both parties have “agreed to enhance bilateral trade, particularly in agricultural products, by implementing measures like mutual tariff reductions on various goods.”

Read More

Cup Final Flares and Fire "Raise Important Security Questions"

Cup Final Flares and Fire "Raise Important Security Questions"

Questions have been asked about stadium security after Thursday’s Belgian Croky Cup Final King Baudouin Stadium.
The showpiece fixture between Anderlecht and Union Saint-Gilloise was particularly keenly awaited as it was the first cup final derby between the two clubs in the 70-year history of the competition.
It ended in a 3-1 victory, after 30 minutes’ extra time, for Union over their city rival

Read More