Progress on the continuous cycle route F35 (Netherlands)

[Ep. 1076] A closer look at the F35 between Borne and Enschede: status and developments as of May 2025. The F35 is a “Fietssnelweg” (a Bicycle Highway; or, as they are more commonly called nowadays, a Continuous Cycle Route). The full route in the province of Overijssel in the Netherlands will be 62 kilometres long. The section from Borne via Hendelo to Enschede is now practically finished. A report. See also the real time ride on this cycle route: https://youtu.be/0ZjHS8t69xc

This is the F35 continuous cycle route
in the province of Overijssel. A master plan for the route
was drawn up in 2009. Eventually, it will stretch almost 60 km, connecting the cities of Nijverdal, via Almelo, Borne, Hengelo, and Enschede, to the German border. There will also be additional branches,
linking the main route… to other important centers. I first visited the route 
on a foggy day in November… well over 12 years ago. When only a 3 km section
had been completed, between the outskirts
of Hengelo and Enschede. I returned in May 2025. as a number of 
important new sections had been finished. For example, this elevated section. 
running alongside a railway in Enschede. was opened in April 2024. Its height made it relatively easy to 
construct several grade-separated crossings. With this stretch, the route 
was significantly expanded. In Borne, this section opened 
in June of that same year. And finally, this new part in 
Hengelo was officially opened just days before I filmed it
in early May 2025. Together, these three additions 
now allow you to cycle more than 15 uninterrupted kilometers… from the railway station in Borne… to the station in central Enschede. And even beyond that point,
almost to the eastern edge of the city. Interestingly, even the section
that was already in place back in 2012, has seen improvements. A lightly used industrial railway
once crossed the cycle route, at a sharp and hazardous angle. People had reported falls. Fast forward to today, and
that crossing has been removed entirely. Some junctions have also been upgraded. In 2012, cyclists had to 
give way at this minor road. Today they have priority, possibly because the road now
has a model filter, and is no longer accessible to cars. There are still some imperfections. These central islands with bollards, for instance, were criticized in a 2019 cycle route
assessment by the ANWB. They reduced the usable width
of the 4 m path to just 1.3 m. And this layout is unusual in the Netherlands. Their removal was recommended,
but unfortunately they remain in place. And worse, similar islands have also been added
to newer parts of the route in Hengelo. In Borne, this sign warns 
of a narrowing on a viaduct… where the F35 crosses the A1 motorway… from Amsterdam to the German border. I don’t know whether there are plans
to widen this viaduct in future. Despite these minor issues,
the route is very attractive overall. A few signalised crossings remain,
but waiting times are generally short. Some junctions, like this one,
across a bus only road in Hengelo, are even default green for cycling. The light only turns red when a bus approaches. The newest sections are well 
integrated with other projects. For example, the reconstruction 
of the station area in Hengelo. Here, extensive planting has added
a welcome touch of greenery… to the rear of the station. The route is clearly signposted,
not only with regular signs alongside the path, but also with large emblems on the surface. That surface is made of smooth red asphalt
with a low rolling resistance, making the F35 a real pleasure to ride.