Bicycle, tram and pedestrian signals

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Lights reserved for cyclists, trams and pedestrians: how to recognise them and how to respond behind the wheel in Belgium.

Cover, Bicycle, tram and pedestrian signals

Lesson objectives

Understand signals specific to cyclists, pedestrians and public transport vehicles. Master advanced zones for cyclists and differentiated stopping rules. Identify flashing yellow-orange arrows and their permissions for soft modes of transport.

Signals for pedestrians and cyclists

The code provides for three families of reserved signals: signals showing the illuminated silhouette of a bicycle apply only to cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds (art. 61.1, 6°); signals showing the silhouette of a bicycle and a pedestrian apply to cyclists, two-wheeled mopeds authorised on the cycle path, and pedestrians (art. 61.1, 8° and 63.2); two-colour pedestrian signals , stationary silhouette in red, walking silhouette in green, apply only to pedestrians (art. 63.1). A car driver does not need to take them into account: they must obey the signal intended for them.

Illuminated silhouette

A luminous representation of a pedestrian or cyclist on a traffic light. It indicates that this signal applies only to these categories of road users.

Pedestrian and cyclist signal at an urban junction

The green square signal: passage in all directions

A bicycle or pedestrian silhouette surrounded by arrows does not mean 'crossing in all directions'. Articles 61.1, 7° and 63.1, 5. give it a precise meaning: the signal is simultaneously the same colour in the transverse direction . In other words, when this signal is green, cyclists crossing perpendicularly also have green at the same moment; when it is red, they have red. The information concerns the synchronisation of the junction, not a right to cross diagonally. These signals apply only to cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds authorised on the cycle path, and, for the pedestrian version, to pedestrians only.

In the exam, the question about the silhouette surrounded by arrows tests one thing only: knowing that the signal is at the same moment the same colour in the transverse direction . The answer 'can cross in all directions' is the classic trap.

Advanced zones for cyclists

The advanced zone (art. 77.6) is the area where a cycle path ends, delimited by two stop lines and marked with a white bicycle symbol. It is announced by signal F14 . The text expressly links it to a phase: cyclists and two-wheeled moped drivers can position themselves there only during the red phase of the traffic signals, and it is during this red phase that other drivers must stop before the first stop line.

Stopping positions by vehicle type

During the red phase Where to stop Other drivers (cars, lorries, etc.) Before the first stop line Cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds They can position themselves in the zone , up to the second stop line Outside the red phase, the zone has no effect: no one positions themselves there.

Exact wording matters in the exam: the advanced zone does not say 'cyclists stop further on', it says that cyclists may position themselves there during the red phase , and that it is then that other drivers stop before the first line. The zone is announced by signal F14 .

Advanced zone for cyclists at red light

Special signals for trams and buses

Article 62ter reserves for vehicles providing regular public transport services signals in the form of bars, circles and triangles in white on a black background . They apply only to these vehicles. Two additional provisions in the same article: their meaning may be modified in favour of cyclists and speed pedelecs by a B22 or B23 panel , and in favour of cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds by the flashing yellow-orange light with bicycle silhouette in article 61.1, 9°.

Light bar

A traffic signal consisting of a line (vertical, oblique or horizontal) intended for public transport vehicles. Each orientation has a specific meaning.

Code for tram and bus signals

Signal (white on black background) Meaning (art. 62ter) Horizontal bar Same meaning as red light Circle Same meaning as fixed yellow-orange light Triangle point down Same meaning as green light Vertical bar Permission to proceed straight ahead only Bar inclined at 45° to the left or right Permission to proceed only in the direction indicated by the bar Flashing circle Same meaning as a flashing orange light

In the exam, questions about tram/bus signals test your ability to decode the bars. Remember: triangle = green, circle = orange, horizontal bar = red . That is the basis.

Flashing yellow-orange arrows for cyclists

Article 61.1, 9° describes this device precisely: an additional flashing yellow-orange light showing a bicycle silhouette and a flashing yellow-orange arrow , illuminated together with a red light or a yellow-orange light . It authorises cyclists and two-wheeled moped drivers , the text does not mention speed pedelecs, to proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow , provided they give way to drivers approaching regularly from other directions and to pedestrians .

Not to be confused with B22 and B23 panels (art. 67.3): these are panels , not signals, and they apply to cyclists and speed pedelec drivers . B22 allows turning right at a red or yellow-orange light, B23 allows proceeding straight ahead, in both cases by giving way to other road users. These are moreover the only priority signals that the operation of traffic lights does not override (art. 6.3).

Flashing yellow-orange arrow for cyclists

Who must obey which signal?

Each road user obeys the signal intended for them: a car driver does not take into account a signal with a bicycle or pedestrian silhouette, and a cyclist who has their own signal follows that one. However, be careful: in the absence of a specific signal, the cyclist and moped driver are drivers like any other and must obey the standard three-colour system. 'There is no cycle signal here' does not mean 'the cyclist goes'.

Situation at a junction

A signal shows a pedestrian silhouette in red. A car driver approaches the same junction. The driver must not stop , this signal does not apply to them. They must obey the standard signals (if any) or priority panels.

Summary of key points

Bicycle symbol : the signal applies only to cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds (art. 61.1, 6°). Bicycle symbol + pedestrian : cyclists, two-wheeled mopeds authorised on the cycle track, and pedestrians (61.1, 8° and 63.2). Symbol surrounded by arrows : the signal is simultaneously the same colour in the transverse direction ; this is not permission to cross diagonally. Pedestrian signals (art. 63.1): red = prohibition to enter the roadway; green = permission; flashing green indicates, for information, the end of the permission period. Advanced area (F14, art. 77.6) : cyclists may position themselves there during the red phase ; this is when others stop before the first line. Public transport (art. 62ter) : horizontal bar = red, circle = orange, inverted triangle = green, vertical bar = straight ahead, bar at 45° = indicated direction, flashing circle = flashing orange. Flashing signal with bicycle symbol + arrow (61.1, 9°): proceed only in the direction of the arrow, giving way. To be distinguished from signs B22 and B23 , which apply to cyclists and speed pedelecs.

What now?

First complete the quiz for this lesson to check your understanding, then practise with the exam simulator and multiple-choice questions . You have finished this module. Next module: Signal failure .

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