Cyclists, pedestrians and bus stops

Cyclists and bicycle crossings

• Cyclists are considered vehicles and therefore a cyclist also has to stop for a red light.
• At bicycle crossings you´re obliged to give way to cyclists, but at bicycle passages you only have to adapt your speed in such manner that you don't cause any danger to the cyclists.
• Be aware that you must give way to both cyclists and class II mopeds on bicycle paths.
• When you’re driving a car, you should be aware which kind of turns cyclists and class II mopeds are allowed to make. In this picture (image 1) they may turn left here through path B. But they are also allowed to keep themselves on the right side of the road (indicated with C) if they are planning to turn left. However, they are not allowed to cross solid lines, which is the case in path A.

Image 1: Cyclists may not cross solid lines (path A)

Pedestrian crossings

• If a pedestrian is indicating clearly that he or she is not going to cross then you can continue driving, but with caution and while keeping eye contact.
• Pedestrians aren´t allowed to cross a pedestrian crossing with unreasonable delay, meaning without any valid reason. This "unreasonable" differs ofcourse between young and elderly people, because elderly people might be slower than young people.
• Whether a pedestrian crossing is combined with a bicycle path or bicycle crossing or not, it is prohibited to stop or park a vehicle within 10 metres before a bicycle crossing or a pedestrian crossing.
• You’re not allowed to stop with your vehicle 2 metres before a pedestrian crossing, but you are allowed to stay stationary 2 metres before a pedestrian crossing. Because there is a difference between 'stationary' and 'stopping', when you give way to pedestrian then you are stationary. But 'stopping' is not allowed, stopping a vehicle is defined as coming to a complete standstill when it; 1) is not done to avoid danger, 2) is not done with the intention to park, 3) is not done due to traffic conditions(for example traffic jams).
• Eye contact is a good way for a driver and a pedestrian to show each other that they are both aware of each others intentions.But do not wave at a pedestrianthat wants to cross a pedestrian crossing, that can give  him or her a false feeling of safety.

General rules regarding cyclists and pedestrians

• There are special rules for certain processions, such as funeral processions, groups of children with a leader and a group of military vehicles. You´re not allowed to obstruct or interrupt them.
• At unguarded pedestrian crossings, bicycle crossings, and unguarded bicycle passages you´re not allowed to overtake other vehicles (nor trams). Be aware that in certain situations there can be exceptions to this rule.
• A white cane is the internationally acknowledged symbol of a visually impaired person.A visually impaired person often stretches out his or her cane just before stepping out onto a pedestrian crossing.
• If someone is walking with a bicycle then he or sheis not considered a cyclist but as a pedestrian.

Rules regarding busses and bus stops

• When there are more than one lane, the rule is that those who are driving on the lane that is furthest to the right, in this case car B (image 2), must give way to the bus that indicates it is leaving the bus stop. Car A can however continue driving. But keep in mind that, when the speed limit is higher than 50 km/h, then you do not have to give way to a bus that is leaving a bus stop.

Image 2: Car B has to give way to the bus

• The driver of a school bus will indicate it´s going to stop by turning on the flashing lights about 100 metres before it stops.
• Your'e only allowed to pick up or set down passengers at marked stops for trams and for vehicles operating regular services (local buses for instance) and school buses. However, it's only allowed if you do not obstruct the tram or bus. Other than that you're not allowed to stop there for other reasons.