Bruges

:This article is about the city in Belgium. See also Bruges, Gironde, France and Bruges, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France.

Transportation

Although a few streets are restricted, no part of Brugge is truly carfree—as any local bicyclist (and there are tens of thousands) will attest. Only cabs and buses may cross the main markt, and driving in Bruges is beastly difficult due to numerous one ways, but cars are everywhere. The cars are required by law to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists, but like everywhere else, some cars and cabs drive aggressively in regard to bicycles. Plans have long been underway to ban cars altogether from the center of Brugge or to restrict traffic much more than it currently is, but these plans have come to nothing. Recently (2005) signs have been changed for the convenience of bicyclists, allowing two-way bike traffic on more streets. But car traffic has not decreased. Recent bicycle fatalities have increased pressure to close bridges and further restrict inner Brugge, but laws have not yet passed. Also, due to heavily populated suburbs, bus traffic is high on the narrow streets. This makes cycling even trickier.

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Tourists are encouraged to enter Brugge by train or to use carparks. However, as these carparks are within the egg (the main circle of canals) this is only a partial solution, or no solution at all for those living or cycling or walking near the carparks. If you park on the streets, close your mirrors or you will lose them.

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