Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp police caught 54 cyclists and scooter riders in 2 hours for riding the wrong way in the Schinpoort Tunnel. Fines: €58–€116. Wouter Bruyns highlighted high collision risks.
As VRT News reported, Antwerp police caught 54 cyclists and scooter riders in just 2 hours for riding the wrong way in the Schinpoort Tunnel. The tunnel is near the AFAS Dome, formerly called the Sportpaleis. Police said riding against traffic in tunnels is very dangerous. Drivers often cannot react in time when someone rides the wrong way.
What led Antwerp police to catch 54 cyclists and scooters in the Schinpoort tunnel?Riding the wrong way in the tunnel incurs fines of between €58 and €116 based on the risk imposed. Appropriate behavior emphasized by the authorities in the case of cyclists and scooter riders include the observance of traffic directives especially during confined situations like tunnels.
Antwerp police said the Schinpoort Tunnel is a problem area for cyclists and scooter riders who ride against traffic. The spot receives many complaints from residents and drivers. Police said repeated violations in the tunnel create serious safety risks. This is why officers carry out frequent checks in the area.
City planners and cycling experts say the traffic situation for cyclists near the tunnel is confusing. Up to just before the tunnel, cyclists can ride in both directions on the path from Park Spoor Noord. A little closer to the tunnel, the path looks the same and is just as wide, but riding against traffic is no longer allowed.
“People often tell us that they’re committing a violation because the infrastructure is inadequate. Unfortunately, that’s not a valid reason. The risk of collisions is very high, especially when cyclists have to swerve to avoid each other in a narrow lane and collide,”
says Wouter Bruyns of the Antwerp police
Antwerp has acted before to improve safety for cyclists and scooter riders. In September 2024, the city banned cargo bikes and heavy bicycles from using the escalators in the Sint-Annatunnel, a pedestrian and cycling tunnel under the Scheldt River.
The ban came after authorities saw more cargo and electric bikes using the escalators. These bikes were causing damage and creating safety risks for other users. To enforce the rule, barriers were placed at the escalators. The city also ran a campaign to tell cyclists to use the lifts instead.
