Cycling Highways, Ring road around Brussels

A recognizable family of structures

The integrated design by ZJA, in collaboration with Frank van Hulle, follows core principles that ensure a coherent and recognizable network of bridges and underpasses. Modular design elements that can be flexibly adapted to different situations create a visual unity. For example, spans are designed as a single clear gesture. Sometimes slightly curved due to structural requirements, but otherwise straight, with clean connections to the abutments.

Materials and colors aligned with the landscape

The cycling highways pass through green zones as much as possible and make use of warm and natural materials and colors. Grass concrete pavers, retaining walls with gabions, and green embankments around and beneath the bicycle bridges reduce visual disruption and make the cycling experience green and attractive.

Low-maintenance bridges in corten steel and wooden slats

Characteristic of the bicycle bridges are the corten steel decks with a concrete edge and wooden slats in the railings and abutments. The choice of corten steel and wooden slats eliminates the need for painting, thereby minimizing maintenance. The slender steel supports, ranging from elegant V-shapes to more robust Y-shapes and tapering I-columns, are designed to minimize visual impact. No broad and massive forms, but narrow, slender vertical contours that are both aesthetically appealing and functional

Calm visual experience

Whether it concerns drainage or lighting, the aim has been to integrate these facilities as much as possible into the deck, columns, and wooden railings of the bridges. A calm visual experience is the guiding principle. Openness, lightness of form, and access to daylight are central to the perception of safety and to creating a pleasant connection with the surroundings for cyclists.

The goal of the works on the Ring Road around Brussels is to make the city, and especially the suburban municipalities along the Ring, more livable, sustainable, and future-proof. This means limiting the impact on the landscape, residential areas, nature, and local traffic. In addition, facilities are being added for public transport, cyclists, and pedestrians. Themes such as ecological connections, limited paved surfaces, and water infiltration play an important role.

The Flemish government expects that the network of cycling highways will lead to a modal shift. People are expected to choose bicycles more often even before the major motorway construction begins and, hopefully, maintain that habit once the new Ring Road has been completed.