North Sea Port improves cycling safety in port area with 30 kilometres of new cycle paths

North Sea Port is committed to improving the increasing use of bicycles by employees in the port. Over the next five years, it will create no less than 30 kilometres of safe cycling infrastructure. This was announced during the official opening of the new cycle path on Moervaart in Ghent.

On Wednesday 27 November, the new cycle highway along the Moervaart in Ghent was inaugurated. This almost 2-kilometre-long cycle route connects the Terdonk ferry across the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal with the R4 East around the port and the towpath along the Moervaart towards Wachtebeke and Waasland. This fills an important gap in the cycle network. It is a collaboration between the North Sea Port authority, the Flemish government, the province of East Flanders, the City of Ghent, surrounding businesses and contractor Stadsbader.

Riet Gillis, Deputy for the Province of East Flanders: “The construction of the cycle path along the Moervaartkaai fits in perfectly with the Provincial Government's ambition to accelerate the realisation of the network of cycle highways. The Province therefore supported this North Sea Port project with a substantial subsidy of more than half a million euros.” North Sea Port, in turn, invested 1.6 million euros.

At the same time as the opening in Ghent, 1.5 kilometres of new cycle paths were opened in Vlissingen. These include a cycle path along the Borselsedijk and a double cycle path on the Finlandweg and the Polenweg. This will also significantly improve road safety for cyclists.

Harry van der Maas, Deputy for the Province of Zeeland: “Cycling is an important sustainable way to get healthy exercise. Nowadays, we cycle much more, including as part of our commute to work. Growth in cycling and the development of e-bikes also means that the infrastructure must be safe and in good order. It is great news that North Sea Port is investing in safe cycle routes in the port area, thereby contributing to Zeeland's vision for the future of cycling.”

During the inauguration, North Sea Port unveiled its new cycling investments. Peter Van Parys, COO of North Sea Port: "Over the next five years, we will be constructing 30 kilometres of safe cycle paths in the port area and towards business clusters. With a total investment of 7 million euros, a significant improvement in cycling infrastructure will be achieved. This ambition not only makes North Sea Port safer for cyclists, but also encourages sustainable commuting in the port region."

Of the 30 kilometres, 17 kilometres will be realised in the Zeeland section and 13 kilometres in the Ghent section. The focus is on new cycle paths and closing gaps in existing routes. When planning the cycling infrastructure, consideration was given to network value, potential use, comfort and road safety.

With these additional 30 kilometres, the port area will have 184 kilometres of cycle paths by 2029, 77 kilometres in the Zeeland part and 107 kilometres in the Ghent part of the port. These will connect to local and supra-local cycle highways and cycling infrastructure around the port area, as provided for in the “Zeeland Cycling Vision for the Future” and the “Cycling Framework Plan” of the Ghent Canal Zone Project Office.

North Sea Port is currently rolling out a network of bicycle counting systems at 20 locations. This will give us a better insight into bicycle traffic in our port area. It will enable us to analyse bicycle flows and monitor the use of the infrastructure. "This enables us to measure the effect of new cycle paths, make adjustments where necessary and optimise existing facilities. In addition, the systems support traffic studies by identifying bottlenecks for cyclists, so that we can implement targeted improvements and set priorities," says Peter Van Parys.

The realisation of high-quality cycle connections makes the port area more attractive to businesses and their employees. More safe cycle connections improve commuting by bicycle and thus the attractiveness of businesses in the port as employers. In addition, the optimisation of recreational cycle routes contributes to a positive image of the port area as a destination for both work and recreation.