🚲 Can I cycle on the pavement?

With conditions

Quick answer

No, not as an adult — cyclists belong on the cycle path or the road, not the pavement. Only children under 10 may ride on it. Within the built-up area you must, as a cyclist, use the cycle path if there is a usable one, otherwise the road; the pavement is not allowed for ordinary cyclists (art. 9.1.2 of the road code). The exception: children under 10 (up to and including age 9) may always cycle on the pavement and the raised verge, provided they do not hinder pedestrians and give way. Outside the built-up area, cyclists of any age may use the pavement or verge on the right in their direction, giving way to pedestrians. If you get off and walk your bike by hand, you count as a pedestrian and may use the pavement. Note: the new road-use code raises the age limit to 12, but only from 2027 — in 2026 it is still under 10.

📋 The rules

Within the built-up area: cyclists use the cycle path or the road, not the pavement (art. 9.1.2)
Children under 10 (up to and including 9) may cycle on the pavement and the raised verge
They must give way to pedestrians and not endanger them
Outside the built-up area: cyclists of any age may use the pavement/verge on the right, giving way to pedestrians
Walking your bike by hand = you count as a pedestrian (art. 2.17) and may use the pavement
New road-use code: limit raised to 12, but only from 2027

🔓 Exceptions

Outside the built-up area, any cyclist may use the pavement or verge (level or raised), on the right and giving way to pedestrians
Someone pushing a bike on foot is a pedestrian and then belongs on the pavement

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Cycling on the pavement when not allowed is a first-degree offence. Since the traffic-fine increase on 1 July 2026, the immediate settlement is €64 (previously €58), plus an administrative surcharge of €10.67. If you don't pay, the prosecutor can pursue it and the amount rises.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can I cycle on the pavement as an adult?

No. Within the built-up area you must use the cycle path or the road; the pavement is for pedestrians. Outside the built-up area you may ride on the right on the pavement or verge, giving way to pedestrians.

From what age can my child no longer ride on the pavement?

Children may cycle on the pavement while they are under 10 (up to and including 9). From their tenth birthday they belong on the cycle path or road. That limit rises to 12 in 2027.

Can I push my bike by hand on the pavement?

Yes. Someone walking a bike counts as a pedestrian and may use the pavement, as long as you don't hinder other pedestrians.

How much is a fine for cycling on the pavement?

Since 1 July 2026 it is an immediate settlement of €64, plus a €10.67 administrative surcharge. If you don't pay, the amount can rise via the prosecutor.

🔎 Common searches

What people search to land here:

“cycling on pavement allowed belgium”
“child cycling pavement age”
“fine cycling pavement”
“walk bike by hand pedestrian”
“cyclist pavement built-up area”