150 Speed Pedelecs Fined for Speeding in Belgian Cycle Zone

Nearly 150 speed pedelec riders have been flashed and fined for exceeding the 30 km/h speed limit in Mortsel, a municipality in Belgium’s Antwerp region, according to VRT NWS. The enforcement marks a nearly fourfold increase compared to 2025, when approximately 40 speed pedelecs were caught speeding in the same area.

Targeted Enforcement on Busy Cycling Routes

The city deliberately positions mobile speed cameras in busy cycling streets, specifically the Amedeus Stockmanslei and Jordaenslei, which form part of the F1 fietsostrade (cycle highway) connecting Antwerp to Mechelen and Brussels.

“We don’t place specific speed cameras on the cycle paths, but we do deliberately position our mobile cameras in busy cycling streets like the Amedeus Stockmanslei and Jordaenslei, which are part of the cycle highway,” Mayor Michiel Hubeau (Groen Vooruit) told VRT NWS.

Speed pedelecs have license plates (SP plates) and can therefore technically be flashed anywhere, but enforcement emphasis varies by municipality. The speed limit on the fietsostrade in this area is 30 km/h, which applies to all road users, including speed pedelec riders.

Safety Concerns Drive Crackdown

Hubeau explained that the enforcement responds to concerns from residents who feel unsafe sharing the route with faster-moving vehicles. “We often receive comments from young parents cycling with children, or from elderly people, that they don’t feel safe because of the fast cyclists,” he said.

“In 2025, about 40 speed pedelecs were flashed, but this year there are already almost 150,” Hubeau added. “The riders have received fines, and we hope to make them aware that they must equally adhere to the 30 km/h speed limit.”

Additional Signs and Awareness Campaign

Ahead of the new school year, the city has also placed additional repeater signs along the F1 fietsostrade to reinforce awareness of the 30 km/h limit, as HLN reported.

“With the new school year approaching, it’s especially important to focus on safe school routes,” said Mobility Alderman Jitse Born (Groen Vooruit). “Large and small cyclists use this route together. Parents must be able to let their children cycle to school with peace of mind. Hence the choice to place repeater signs.”

“This way we hope to further raise awareness among cyclists, and hopefully we won’t have to hand out too many fines,” Hubeau added.

From the end of September, police in Mortsel will also increase enforcement against cyclists riding against traffic (spookrijden) on cycle paths.

Legal Framework for Speed Pedelecs

Speed pedelecs are legally classified as “bromfiets klasse P” (moped class P) in Belgium, with a maximum assisted speed of 45 km/h. According to the Fietsersbond, riders must be at least 16 years old, hold a minimum AM driving license, wear an approved helmet, and display a license plate.

In zone 30 areas, school zones, fietszones (cycle zones), jaagpaden (towpaths), and fietssnelwegen (cycle highways) with F99 signage, speed pedelecs must not exceed 30 km/h, as confirmed by VSV Veilig Verkeer.

Broader Cycling Infrastructure Context

Mortsel has positioned itself as a cycling-friendly city with extensive infrastructure. In 2020-2021, the municipality introduced more than 30 fietsstraten (cycle streets) and two complete fietszones, according to Radio Zuidrand. The Amedeus Stockmanslei was designated as a pilot project with the Province of Antwerp in the context of the fietsostrade.

The F1 is Belgium’s oldest fietsostrade, and some sections were built over 20 years ago. Cycling numbers have increased dramatically, with daily cyclists in adjacent Hove growing from 1,400 in 2015 to over 2,000. In 2022, six municipalities and the Province of Antwerp announced plans to upgrade the F1 to meet modern standards, as VRT NWS reported.

The enforcement push was made possible by a December 2023 decision by the Flemish government to approve unmanned cameras and trajectory controls in fietsstraten, enabling municipalities to enforce speed limits against speed pedelecs exceeding 30 km/h, as Redactie24 reported.

Implications for Cycling Safety

The enforcement in Mortsel represents one of the first systematic attempts in Belgium to enforce speed limits specifically against speed pedelec riders. As speed pedelecs become increasingly popular for commuting, their higher speeds create safety concerns when mixed with regular cyclists and pedestrians on shared infrastructure.

The sharp increase in fines - from 40 to nearly 150 in one year - reflects both intensified enforcement and continued violations. The city’s approach combines enforcement with awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvements, potentially setting a precedent for other Belgian municipalities grappling with the challenge of mixed-speed cycling on shared routes.

With the new school year now underway and additional enforcement measures planned from late September, Mortsel’s cycling safety measures will continue to be closely watched by commuters, cycling advocates, and municipal authorities across Belgium.