Bicycle ban in Dorpsstraat final: these adjustments are necessary for road safety

The bicycle ban for the daytime in the Dorpsstraat has been laid down by the municipality in a traffic decree. We are therefore no longer allowed to cycle there between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and therefore take a detour. Due to road safety, a few adjustments to the area are necessary.

We have been accustomed to the bicycle ban for some time now. Since the corona time, it was no longer allowed to cycle through the Dorpsstraat during the day because of the one and a half meter measure. At the same time, this offered the opportunity to test the ban. Now it appears that it has been so well received, among others by shopkeepers and residents, that a permanent ban has been chosen. This will make the Dorpsstraat a pedestrian zone from Monday to Saturday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Unsafe places are addressed

In principle, the bicycle ban will take effect from 1 January 2023. Until 15 December, Zoetermeer residents can still have one file an objection. Cyclists can now and then also use the Osylaan – Leidsewallen – Delftsewallen – Nassaulaan route. It appears that this route is not perceived as completely safe by road users. That is why the municipality is adjusting two points:

• The speed limiters on the Osylaan, at the intersection with the Ambachtherenlaan, will be adjusted. Cyclists regularly get into trouble there because car traffic sometimes drives in front of the narrowing at the same time. After the adjustment, car traffic will continue to drive through the narrowing, cyclists can go around it.
• There will be a raised intersection at the Delftsewallen / Nassaulaan / Julianalaan intersection. Cars have to slow down for this, so cyclists can take a little more time to turn from Delftsewallen to Julianalaan.

Clearer road signs

The current warning signs appear not to be entirely clear. It often happens that cyclists drive through the street during the day. According to the municipality, these are being adjusted. In the first month of the permanent ban, Enforcement Zoetermeer will warn people who do cycle through the Dorpsstraat. Then they hand out fines.