Road sections

Everyone wants to safely participate in traffic. That is why there is a different place on the road for each category of road users.

Carriageway

Each road section meant for driving vehicles with the exception of the cycle paths and the cycle/moped paths. Cycle lanes therefore do belong to the carriageway. A carriage way is therefore the section between two pavements or verges.

Lane

Section marked by solid or broken lines. These must be so wide that a passenger car can drive over them. This means that a cycle lane is not a separate lane.

Edge line

The line on the outside edge of the road surface.

Lane line

The line that separates the carriageway or road half of one direction into multiple lanes.

Axis line

Line in the middle of the carriageway. It separates the carriageway into a left and right road half, one for each direction of travel.

Hatched road markings

A section of the road that is marked with diagonal stripes. Drivers may not drive over this section of road.

Dividing point

Triangular area on the road surface at, among other things, the start of acceleration lanes and the end of deceleration lanes. Drivers may not drive over his section of road.

Target group lane

Lane meant for a certain target group, such as a bus lane. This is indicated by a sign or the word ‘BUS’ or ‘LIJNBUS’ on the road surface.

Emergency lane or lay-by

Extra road section on the right side of the main carriageway of an autoweg or motorway, separated by means of a solid edge line. Use of this is only allowed in cases of emergency, or when the lane is opened as a rush hour lane.

As much right as possible

The ground rule for drivers is that everyone should keep as much right as possible. This means that you are not always driving on the right. Sometimes there is a good reason to move drive further to the left. But if this reason is not present, then you keep to the right as much as possible.

This means that, on a road without an axis line, you ride right of the centre, if the carriageway is wide enough to do so. On a road divided into multiple lanes, you ride in the middle of the lane. For motorcyclists it is wise to ride just left of the centre of the lane. Are there multiple lanes to choose from, then, under normal circumstances you choose the rightmost lane.

If there are parked cars on the right side of the carriageway, then it is not necessary to move to the right in between the parked cars when no oncoming traffic is present. This will make you zigzag too much without any purpose. Do try and keep riding in a straight line.

Also keep enough lateral distance (about one door’s length) between your motorcycle and the parked cars. This prevents you from hitting a door when someone suddenly opens it.

In addition, you do not have to keep to the right as much as possible when on a roundabout or in a traffic jam. In that case, you may choose the best position at your own discretion. If you want to pass the traffic jam, then, as a motorcyclist, you may only do so in between the two leftmost lanes.

Place on the road for pedestrians

The place on the road for pedestrians is the pavement or footpath. If these are not present, then they use the cycle path or cycle/moped path. If these are also not present, then they use the verge or the far side of the carriageway.

An exception to this rule is formed by pedestrians who move by means of objects like rollerblades, skates, a skateboard or scooter. They may decide what the safest place is themselves, and may choose from the pavement, footpath, cycle path or cycle/moped path. Only when these are all not present, may they use the carriageway.

Cycle lane

A section of the carriageway separated by solid or broken lines on which an image of a bicycle is applied.

• Cycle lanes with broken lines may be used by other drivers than just cyclists and snorfietsers, to pre-sort or to swerve.
  Cyclists and snorfietsers may not be hindered when doing so.
• Cycle lanes with solid lines may only be used by cyclists, snorfietsers and drivers of disability vehicles. As a motorcyclist you may not use the cycle lane, not even to pre-sort.

Place on the road for cyclists and snorfietsers

Cyclists and snorfietsers must use the compulsory cycle path or the compulsory cycle/moped path. If these are not present, then they use the carriageway.
In some cases, it is not allowed for snorfietsers to use the compulsory cycle path. However, this must be indicated by a supplementary sign.

Cyclists may also choose to use the non-compulsory cycle path. This is a prohibited area for snorfietsers, unless they have turned off their combustion engine, or if the snorfiets is fitted with an electrical engine.

Riders of bicycles on more than two wheels or bicycles with a trailer which is wider than 0.75 metres, including load, may always choose to use the carriageway. These may be wide cargo bicycles or bicycle taxis.

ASL (Advanced Stop Line) or bike box

Sometimes, at traffic lights, it is chosen for an additional pre-sorting box for cyclists (bike box) in front of the pre-sort lane for faster traffic. It is implemented as a cycle lane, with a red road surface and an image of a bicycle. Only cyclists, snorfietsers and drivers of disability vehicles may use this section of road. Because they are pre-sorted at the front, they are more visible and the vehicles behind are forced to keep driving behind them on the intersection.

Cargo moped

A moped with two wheels on the front side and one on the rear side. It is only meant for the transport of the driver and cargo. It is possible to carry a passenger on the back behind the driver.

Place on the road for moped riders (and riders of speed pedelecs)

Moped riders must use the compulsory cycle/moped path. If it is not present, then they use the carriageway. Because riders of speed pedelecs follow the same rules, it applies to them too.

Riders of mopeds on more than two wheels or mopeds with a trailer which is wider than 0.75 metres, including load, may always choose to use the carriageway. Think of, for example, a cargo moped.

A lack of mandatory cycle/moped paths in many built-up areas means moped riders are required to use the carriageway. This is often indicated with the D-103 and D-104 signs. Moped riders should pass this sign on the side of the arrow. Depending on which side of the road the sign is placed, this means they must enter the carriageway from the cycle/moped path or vice versa.

Place on the road for disability vehicles

Drivers of disability vehicles may choose where it is safest to drive. This may be the pavement or footpath, but also the cycle path, cycle/moped path or the carriageway. They may also use the cycle lane or carriageway.

Which rules they need to follow, depends on where they are riding. If they are riding on the pavement or footpath, or when they cross from one pavement or footpath to another, they follow the rules of pedestrians. In that case, the speed limit is 6 km/h. If they are riding on a cycle path, cycle/moped path, or on the carriageway, then they follow the rules of drivers. In the latter case, the speed limits apply as they do to the driver of a moped.

Place on the road for horse riders

Horse riders are required to use the bridal path. If this is not present, then they may choose whether to use the carriageway or the verge. If they choose to ride on the carriageway, then they are not allowed to ride side by side.

Place on the road for military convoys, parades and funeral processions

Groups of pedestrians may use the carriageway, if they are in a big, organised group such as a convoy, parade or funeral procession. However, this is not required.

Place on the road for other drivers

All other drivers follow the carriageway. Think of the motor vehicles and brommobielen.

Place on the road in case of a wide central verge

Carriageways are sometimes separated by a (wide) central verge. In that case, it is often indicated by signs which side of the carriageway you must follow. If this is not the case, then use the right carriageway as much as possible. Despite the wide central verge, this is also just one road where your position is as much to the right as possible.