After its renovation, Groningen’s Grote Markt main square is now coming with a set of new cycling rules, which will start being actively enforced in February.
Cyclists will no longer be allowed to cycle crisscross over the Grote Markt and the square is now fully prohibited for scooters.
The Grote Markt has been set up as a pedestrian area, where cyclists are guests. Until last weekend, scooters and mopeds were also allowed to ride on the Grote Markt, but according to the municipality this arrangement did not work out well and sometimes led to conflict situations
That is why scooters are now banned from accessing the Grote Markt. Scooters will also no longer be allowed in the Oosterstraat and Gelkingestraat. Taxis are able to access the main square if they pay for a special pass.
Cyclists who want to cross the square from north to south have to cycle down the Oude Ebbingestraat, go past the City Hall and carry on to the Gelkingestraat. Cyclists coming from the opposite direction must make their way up the Oosterstraat and pass in front of The Market Hotel in the direction of the Kreupelstraat. Cyclists who want to go in the direction of the Vismarkt or Forum can’t cross the square and must instead use the surrounding roads.
A campaign has been started to draw attention to the new rules for mopeds and scooters and to point out to cyclists that they should follow the correct routes across the square. Over the coming days, stewards will be warning cyclists if they aren’t following the correct rules. These will then start being enforced in February.
Green lines show where you are allowed to cycle, with yellow arrows showing which way up.
Red lines show where you are not allowed to cycle anymore.