Amerongen will be closed to motorcyclists, headlined various media last week. That news was premature. It is true that the large number of motorcyclists in the old village of Amerongen apparently requires measures.
After a motion with that assignment adopted by 24 of the 29 municipal councilors of Utrechtse Heuvelrug, the municipality entered into talks with MAG and KNMV yesterday.
The old village of Amerongen is located at the eastern end of the popular Lekdijk. Motorcyclists who include that part of the dike in their route and want to stay above the river will therefore all get through.
In the narrow streets, that quantity can cause nuisance, MAG and KNMV also agree. However, a total closure of the old village, in which all motorcyclists are forced to approach or leave this part of the Lekdijk via the ferry south of Amerongen, is unacceptable.
Motorcyclists now use three roads through the village. MAG and KNMV have proposed to keep Kersweg, the shortest of those three roads, open to motorcyclists.
The Kersweg running on the west side below the old village is now a bicycle street where cars with partly one-way traffic are guests. This road should become a two-way street for motorcyclists and cyclists. To compensate, there will then be an entry ban for cars, of course with an exception for residents.
Motorcyclists from or in an easterly and southerly direction can choose to take the ferry in this situation. The number of motorcyclists driving through the village is thus reduced. The alderman will submit the proposal from MAG and KNMV to the municipal council.
“If the city council does not accept our proposal and want to permanently lock Amerongen for motorcyclists during the weekends, then we will of course not leave it at that. The route via the ferry may be an option for some motorcyclists, but it is absolutely not for at least an equal number.”
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.