Sint-Niklaas (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Work on the N41 bike path in Belsele, Sint-Niklaas, starts August 18, 2025. The road closes for 2 weeks to build a safer, 2-way cycle path. Hasan Bilici petitioned in 2013.
As VRT News reported, work on the N41 bicycle path in Belsele, Sint-Niklaas, will start on Monday, August 18, 2025. The Roads and Traffic Agency (AWV) is beginning the long-awaited improvements to make the route safer for cyclists. People have been asking for changes for more than 10 years.
The bike path along the N41 from Arnhoutstraat to Kleiweg will be rebuilt. It will be 3 meters wide and allow bikes to go both ways. According to officials, many students, workers, and locals use this path every day. It will give more space and better views for cyclists.
What’s changing on the N41 bike path in Sint-Niklaas?
Works for the construction of the cycle path on the N41 in Belsele will take place from Monday, August 18, 2020, to Friday, August 29, 2020, as stated by the city of Sint-Niklaas. During the works, local traffic will be adjusted. Cars and all motor vehicles will not be allowed to go on the N41 in the southbound direction to the N70.
A detour has been planned to help traffic move around the closed road. Drivers will need to follow a new route that goes through the R42, Europark Noord, the N70, Tereken, and Driegaaien. This will help keep the area safe while the road work is being done.
Cyclists will have to follow a different route during the roadworks. They will be guided through Tuinlaan, Bookmolenstraat, and the N70. People have often said the bike path is too dark. The city knows this and plans to add lights later this year.
The lights will not be placed during the current work. But they will come soon after. Many people have asked for these changes for a long time. The new plans bring hope and relief to local cyclists.
“New public lighting will be installed during the autumn holidays, so that the route remains safe even in darkness or rain,”
it added.
In 2013, local councillor Hasan Bilici from Vooruit started a petition about the unsafe path. Many students from the nearby Broederschool voor Biotechnische en Sportopleidingen use the N41 to get to school in Weverstraat. The narrow and dangerous path has been a concern for parents, teachers, and residents for a long time.
Even though the N41 is a regional road managed by the Flemish government, the city of Sint-Niklaas decided to step in. At the end of 2023, the city made its plan to fix the path and also applied for the needed environmental permit. The plans were handed over to the AWV to help speed up the process and get the work started sooner.
