The cycle path: where to ride depending on your class
⏱️ 2 min read
This is THE question specific to the AM licence: must your moped ride on the cycle path or on the carriageway? The answer depends on two things: your class (A or B) and the location (in or outside a built-up area). Once you have the table in your head, you can't get it wrong.
✨ Key takeaways
- Cycle path = D7 sign or two parallel broken white lines.
- Class A: cycle path compulsory everywhere when it is usable.
- Class B: path outside built-up areas, carriageway in built-up areas (unless an additional panel says otherwise).
- Unusable path → carriageway, as close as possible to the right-hand edge.
- On the path, adapt your speed to the cyclists.
Recognising a cycle path
A cycle path is indicated either by the round blue D7 sign (a white bicycle on a blue background) or by two parallel broken white lines marked on the ground. Other vehicles may not ride, stop or park on it.
Class A (≤ 25 km/h): the path, always
In class A, you ride at the speed of a fast bicycle: your place is on the cycle path whenever there is a usable one, both in and outside built-up areas. No path (or an unusable path: roadworks, obstacle)? Then you take the carriageway, as close as possible to the right-hand edge.
Class B (≤ 45 km/h): it depends on the location
- Outside built-up areas: you must use the cycle path when it is present and usable.
- In built-up areas: as a rule you ride on the carriageway — unless an additional panel under the D7 requires or allows class B mopeds on the path.
Remember the logic: the faster you go, the less you belong among the bicycles. In town, a class B at 45 km/h rides with the cars; on country roads, it takes shelter from the fast traffic on the path. Additional panels placed under the D7 can change the rule for class B: always read them.
| Class | In built-up areas | Outside built-up areas |
|---|---|---|
| Class A (≤ 25 km/h) | Cycle path | Cycle path |
| Class B (≤ 45 km/h) | Carriageway (unless an additional panel says otherwise) | Cycle path |
On the path: you are the cyclists' guest
On a cycle path, you share a narrow space with cyclists, sometimes children. Adapt your speed, keep your distance and overtake with great caution. To cross the carriageway, the cycle crossing is marked with two lines of white squares or diamonds.
In a built-up area, you are riding a class B moped. A cycle path runs alongside the carriageway, with no additional panel. Where do you ride?