Heerlen tightens bicycle rules in city center
To make the city center more attractive to visitors, Heerlen will introduce new rules for the pedestrian zone from the beginning of 2026. Cycling will only be permitted in most of the pedestrian zone outside regular shopping hours. In addition, the window times (7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) will now be strictly enforced as intended: exclusively for loading and unloading.
Clear rules
In recent years, a mix of agreements and pilot projects has been implemented regarding bicycle use in the pedestrian zone. Despite previous efforts, complaints about nuisance and unsafe situations persisted. The growth in fast-moving fat bikes and bicycle delivery services further increased the pressure. The municipality has therefore opted for a clear and robust approach that will improve both safety and quality of life in the city center.
Alderman Marco Peters Mobility): "The center of Heerlen should be a place where you can shop, walk, and spend time comfortably and safely. That is why we have opted for 'shops open, cyclists walk'. These rules send a clear message: the pedestrian zone is primarily for pedestrians. This ensures comfort and clarity and allows us to tackle nuisance behavior effectively."
New measures
The Saroleastraat, Promenade, Bongerd, and Pancratiusplein area has the highest priority when it comes to making it bicycle-free. To ensure that these locations are enforceable, the bicycle ban will be extended to (parts of) the following streets: Honigmannstraat, Pancratiusstraat, Akerstraat, Promenade I and II, Bongerd, Pancratiusplein, Uilegats, Plaarstraat, Morenhoek, and Oude Veemarktstraat. Parts of Stationsstraat and Dautzenbergstraat are already covered by the existing ban.
Cycling is permitted outside the window times, with the exception of the Maankwartier, where the permanent ban remains in force. This means that some residents and visitors will have to walk the last bit to their destination during opening hours; the bicycle parking facilities will remain accessible. In addition, the window times between 7:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. will now be applied as originally intended: exclusively for deliveries. Other traffic will no longer be allowed access to the pedestrian zone during this period.
The measures will take effect in early 2026 and will be piloted for at least one year. A comprehensive evaluation will follow at the end of 2026, which will also take into account national developments concerning fat bikes, among other things.