Ronse opens 12.5 km cycling route for people with disabilities

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Credit: Saber/Wikipedia, vrt.be

Ronse (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Ronse launched a 12.5-kilometre accessible cycling route with gradients up to 10%. David Talloen and Dagmar Beernaert highlighted features for cyclists with disabilities and inclusive outdoor recreation in East Flanders.

As VRT News reported, Ronse, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, has opened a new cycling route that is both accessible and challenging. The 12.5-kilometre loop was built to meet the growing demand for inclusive cycling paths. The route is suitable for people with disabilities, including those using wheelchair-accessible bikes and handcycles. The roads are fully paved.

“For the real sporty types, there is a 10% incline.” 

David Talloen, project coordinator for accessible tourism, Tourism East Flanders

What makes Ronse’s 12.5 km cycling route accessible for people with disabilities?

Normally, bike paths stay around 4% gradients. This path has sections that reach 6%, with the steepest parts having a 10% option for extra challenge. David Tallon, the project expert, says the path is designed for individuals to ride at their own personal level.

The province of East Flanders recommends that cyclists ride the new Ronse loop in a counterclockwise direction. David Talloen explained that one part of the route has a steep descent of 8%.

“If you go the other way, you must climb it, which is harder,”

he said. A separate section has a 10% gradient. Bright blue signs mark this part to guide riders safely. 

“There’s parking here,”

says tourism alderman Gunther Deriemaker (Vooruit-Groen).

“We’ll also provide a modified bicycle that visitors can borrow. As a city, we believe it’s important to be accessible to everyone.”

The new route starts at Hoge Mote. East Flanders is expanding its network of accessible outdoor trails. Provincial Executive Member Dagmar Beernaert (Vooruit) said new challenging paths are being added for cyclists and hikers.

“We are also exploring adapted walking paths in forests for off-road wheelchairs,”

she said.

East Flanders has been developing cycling routes that are accessible to people with disabilities for several years. In 2020, the province opened the Het Leen Cycling Route. The 26.7-kilometre route travels across Het Leen, Lembeek Forest, the Schipdonk Canal, and the Lieve River, which is Flanders’ oldest canal.

New paths for cyclists and hikers were also added this year by the province. Provincial Executive Member Dagmar Beernaert (Vooruit) stated that some of the new forest paths allow for the use of off-road wheelchairs.

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