Tervuren Mayor Thomas Geyns has criticized a Vossem resident for “pointless court” cases by seeking a foot and cycle path for his children along the Leuvensesteenweg (N3). Geyns argues that the legal action blocks the business park and is unlikely to achieve the desired outcome.
Deontological rules prevent Geyns from publicly naming the Vossemnaar. The resident reportedly fears more dangerous N3 traffic once the Vossem-Keiberg business park is fully operational.
“The complainant blames the municipality for the lack of a bike path,” said Geyns (Voor Tervuren, Open VLD). “His strategy is to file lawsuits until the government gives in — but he’s targeting business and the wrong level of government.”
No cyclist deaths since 2001
The controversy centers on a long-requested cycle path between Vossem and Leefdaal. No deaths have been recorded for cyclists on that section of the N3 since a 41-year old cyclist died August 2001. In December 2002, an 11-year-old girl was struck and killed while walking on Tervuren Avenue, also part of the N3 in Tervuren.
Concerns resurfaced in June after a male cyclist was reportedly hit by a car on the 70km/hour road. In May a female cyclist was reportedly hit by a white truck, suffering wrist, shoulder and eye socket injuries.
“Only when a real solution is found for the bike path can an agreement be reached,” attorney John Toury told the local news edition of Het Nieuwsblad. Toury’s client, who regularly uses the road with family, is challenging the site’s permit before the Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen (Council for Permit Disputes) on Thursday, Aug. 14.
Tervuren has implemented a temporary alternative, creating a cycle link through a residential area and across the business park, connecting to an existing path in Leefdaal. But the speed limit remains at 70km/hour.
Pointless lawsuits continue
“Still, the pointless lawsuits continue,” Geyns said. “The plaintiff should be suing the Flemish government — not innocent businessmen.” Geyns wants legal reforms to discourage frivolous appeals. “It’s absurd — people can appeal up to four times,” the mayor told his 2600 Facebook-followers.
Geyns, a lawyer by profession, is not expected to attend the hearing on 14 August, even though he has previously pleaded for clients at the Council for Permit Disputes. He suspended his legal practice after assuming his €99,802/year mayoral office.
Local cycling safety advocate Joris Vlaeyen, widely recognized for his tricycle, campaigned for a cycle path along the N3 from the 1980s until his death in 2022. The timeline for completing a planned 2-meter-wide foot and cycle path along the 2-kilometer stretch remains unclear.
By Dafydd ab Iago © 2025 Tervuren+. Article and photos licensed under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
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