Bike, tram and pedestrian lights

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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, Bike, tram and pedestrian lights

Lesson objectives

Understand the specific lights for cyclists, pedestrians and public transport vehicles. Master the advanced zones for cyclists and differentiated stopping rules. Identify yellow-orange flashing arrows and their authorizations for soft modes.

Lights intended for pedestrians and cyclists

The code provides for three families of reserved lights: lights presenting the illuminated silhouette of a bicycle concern only cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds (art. 61.1, 6°); lights presenting the silhouette of a bicycle and a pedestrian apply to cyclists, two-wheeled mopeds authorized on the cycle path, and pedestrians (art. 61.1, 8° and 63.2); two-color signals for pedestrians , stationary silhouette in red, walking silhouette in green, concern only pedestrians (art. 63.1). The driver of a car does not need to comply with them: they obey the light intended for them.

Illuminated silhouette

Light representation of a pedestrian or cyclist on a traffic light. It indicates that this light is intended only for these categories of users.

Pedestrian and cyclist light at an urban intersection

The green square light: passage in all directions

A silhouette of a bicycle, or pedestrian, surrounded by arrows does not mean « crossing in all directions ». Articles 61.1, 7° and 63.1, 5. give it a precise meaning: the light is simultaneously the same color in the transverse direction . In other words, when this light is green, cyclists crossing perpendicularly also have green at the same moment; when it is red, they have red. The information concerns the synchronization of the intersection, not a right to cross diagonally. These lights apply only to cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds authorized 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 light is at the same time the same color 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 zone where a cycle path ends, delimited by two stop lines and marked with the white symbol of a bicycle. It is announced by signal F14 . The text expressly links it to a phase: cyclists and two-wheeled moped drivers can only position themselves in it during the red phase of the traffic lights, and it is during this red phase that other drivers must stop before the first stop line.

Stopping positions according to vehicle type

During the red phase Where to stop Other drivers (cars, trucks…) 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 in it.

Exact wording matters in the exam: the advanced zone does not say « cyclists stop further ahead », it says that cyclists can position themselves in it 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 lights for tram and bus

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

Light bar

Traffic signal composed of a line (vertical, oblique or horizontal) intended for public transport vehicles. Each orientation has a precise meaning.

Code of lights for tram and bus

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

In the exam, questions about tram/bus lights test your ability to decode bars. Remember: triangle = green, circle = orange, horizontal bar = red . That's the basics.

Flashing yellow-orange arrows for cyclists

Article 61.1, 9° describes this device precisely: an additional flashing yellow-orange light displaying a bicycle silhouette and a flashing yellow-orange arrow , illuminated together with a red or yellow-orange light . It authorizes cyclists and two-wheeled moped riders , the text does not mention speed pedelecs, to continue their movement only in the direction indicated by the arrow , provided they yield to drivers coming regularly from other directions and to pedestrians .

Not to be confused with signs B22 and B23 (art. 67.3): these are signs , not lights, and they target cyclists and speed pedelec riders . B22 allows turning right at red or yellow-orange light, B23 allows continuing straight, in both cases by yielding to other users. They are moreover the only priority signals that the operation of lights does not neutralize (art. 6.3).

Flashing yellow-orange arrow for cyclists

Who must respect which light?

Each person obeys the light intended for them: the driver of a car does not take into account a light with a bicycle or pedestrian silhouette, and the cyclist who has their own light follows that one. However, be careful: in the absence of a specific light, the cyclist and moped rider are drivers like any other and obey the ordinary three-color system. "The bike light doesn't exist here" does not mean "the cyclist goes".

Situation at the intersection

A light displays a pedestrian silhouette in red. A car driver approaches the same intersection. The driver must not stop , this light does not concern them. They must respect standard lights (if any) or priority signs.

Summary of key points

Bicycle silhouette : the light only concerns cyclists and two-wheeled mopeds (art. 61.1, 6°). Bicycle silhouette + pedestrian : cyclists, two-wheeled mopeds authorized on the cycle path, and pedestrians (61.1, 8° and 63.2). Silhouette surrounded by arrows : the light is simultaneously the same color in the transverse direction , this is not permission to cross diagonally. Pedestrian lights (art. 63.1): red = prohibition to enter the roadway; green = permission; flashing green indicates, for information purposes, the end of permission. Advanced area (F14, art. 77.6) : cyclists can position themselves there during the red phase ; that is when others stop before the first line. Public transport (art. 62ter) : horizontal bar = red, circle = orange, triangle pointing upward = green, vertical bar = straight ahead, 45° bar = indicated direction, flashing circle = flashing orange. Flashing light with bicycle silhouette + arrow (61.1, 9°): continue only in the direction of the arrow, yielding to others. To be distinguished from signs B22 and B23 , which target cyclists and speed pedelec riders.

What now?

First do the quiz of this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and MCQs . You have completed this module. Next module: Light failure .

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