LED lights for a safer cycle path in Bruges

The system with cameras costs 25,000 euros and should prevent accidents involving cyclists. It has been around for a long time in the Netherlands, but it is new to us. Although they already have it for pedestrians in Wevelgem. During the day, not so easy to see, but every time a cyclist is detected by this thermal camera, the LED lights in the ground will flash.

Mayor Dirk De fauw: “We are at the intersection of Pathoekeweg and Jacob van Arteveldestraat. A very busy intersection with a double-sided cycle path. Cyclists can be surprised here and we actually want to warn the cars that they must give way. That is why we have installed here and a completely new system, a first for Flanders.”

First for Belgium

“This is the first bicycle crossing in Belgium where we use thermal cameras to detect cyclists who are approaching and then we use bright LED lights in the car to indicate that a cyclist is crossing,” says Stan De Lie, designer at TrafficCare.

There are already 170 such installations in the Netherlands. In Wevelgem there are already pedestrian crossings. But for cyclists it remains to watch out here anyway.

“Yes, it is dangerous here. Cars drive halfway along the cycle path to see if they can cross. There is also a lot of freight traffic and people drive fast,” says cyclist Anne Demeester.

The LED lights are clearly visible and on dark rainy evenings in winter this system may become even more efficient.