Mobycon consultant and certified EuroVelo Route Inspector, Moniek Jansen, recently had the chance to inspect the EuroVelo 3 route, also known as La Scandibérique. This long-distance route runs all the way from Norway to Spain, but Moniek is focusing on the section between Charleroi, Belgium, and Paris, France.
As an official route inspector, Moniek is allowed to evaluate the EuroVelo network. She is certified to document signage, surfaces, safety, and the overall experience of cycling on one of Europe’s most ambitious networks. After spending time on the route, she’s now reflecting on her trip, sharing insights about what makes this stretch of EuroVelo 3 both challenging and inspiring for cyclists.
The trip began with a train journey from Den Bosch to Charleroi: first Den Bosch-Rotterdam, then the Eurocity Direct to Brussels, and finally a local train to Charleroi. In total, about five hours of travel.
From there, Moniek cycled from Charleroi, often called the “ugliest city in Europe.” And while it was indeed ‘ugly’ in places, she found it also “quite cool,” with striking industrial buildings that gave the city a distinct character. The day’s ride ended in Thuin, a very cute village known for its hanging gardens. The following day, she continued from Thuin to Maubeuge, cycling all along the Sambre River. The route here is calm, scenic, and largely free from traffic, making it a natural cycling corridor.
Moniek’s dual approach of cycling for work and holiday is valuable: it shows how the route functions not only for serious long-distance riders but also for couples, families, and leisure cyclists who want to experience the journey more slowly.
So far, EuroVelo 3 has revealed a mix of scenery and stories. The route moves through gritty industrial landscapes and then suddenly opens up to charming villages such as Thuin, creating a striking contrast between past and present. Long stretches are relaxed and largely traffic-free, giving the ride a safe, comfortable feel and making it easy to sink into the rhythm of cycling. Along the way, cultural highlights add a touristic flair, turning the experience into more than just transport — it feels like a bike holiday unfolding one pedal stroke at a time.
For Moniek, this project is a reminder of how cycling infrastructure shapes real experiences. A long-distance cycling route like La Scandibérique is not just about getting from A to B. It connects people, cultures, and landscapes, and can serve as both a backbone for sustainable tourism and a source of everyday enjoyment.
By inspecting the route from the saddle, Moniek is helping ensure that EuroVelo 3 delivers on its potential: safe, welcoming, and inspiring cycling for all kinds of riders. At Mobycon, we see projects like EuroVelo 3 as part of a larger shift toward integrated mobility. Routes must be more than lines on a map. They need to feel intuitive, attractive, and safe to ride.
Whether it’s developing long-distance networks like La Scandibérique or creating everyday cycling infrastructure in cities, Mobycon helps cities and regions design mobility systems that work for locals, visitors, and tourists alike. Get in touch with us at Mobycon to discover how your city or region can become more cycling-friendly.
