Story By: Lisa-Maria Goertz, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash

Local residents have complained about a new bright red bicycle lane which they say is so bright it glows and is giving them headaches.

The offending bicycle lane is in the municipality of Beveren, in the northern Belgian province of East Flanders.

Images of the red glow inside a local resident’s house from the bright red lane have been shared on social media by residents who complain that the red glow caused by sunny weather or the street lights at night hurts their eyes and “gives them migraines”.

Another user even commented: “It’s like a whorehouse in here.”

According to national news portal VRT, a Belgian city called Ghent was the first spot in the country to introduce the red bicycle lane five years ago, causing similar complaints.

However, just like in Ghent, the authorities in Beveren are reportedly now also telling the inhabitants to be patient as the red colour will fade in time.

According to VRT, Beveren does not intend to remove the bicycle street again or to use a different colour.

A spokesperson from the Fietsersbond Cyclists Union, Jan Verhavert said: “We are in favour of a coloured bicycle path for the sake of visibility and safety. A fully coloured bicycle street is still the best solution because it constantly reminds the motorist where he is driving. It is also clearer for those who are entering a bicycle street from a side street “.

In Belgian the Bicycle lanes are colour coded, the red lane means that cyclists have priority over other road users and cars are not allowed to overtake, whilst the yellow lane means that cars must take care of cyclists, but they do not have priority.

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