CHIPS' recommended code-logo strategy (Flanders, Brussels and Copenhagen)

The cycle highway code as a brand
In Belgium (the five provinces of Flanders and Brussels) and Denmark (region of Copenhagen) the future cycle highways have a network-identity. They all have a letter+number code. Similar cycle highway codes are also used in London (CS-number), The Netherlands (F-number) or Germany (RS-number). But unlike these last examples, the F-numbers in Flanders and the C-numbers in the region of Copenhagen areat the same time designed as a logo. The codes are a brand with a specific form and brand colour (see pictures).  The central brand colour in Flanders and Denmark is respectively blue and orange. The combination of the cycle highway code with a specific logo for the cycle highway network creates a simple, small and easy recognizable icon that can be integrated in:

• diverse wayfinding tools for cyclists (marking on the ground, signposts,...)
• signposting systems of other mobility products (f.i. for cars, public transport,,...)
• diverse (digital) maps, brochures, posters,...
• important touchpoints like routeplanning devices,...

The code-logo strategy of Flanders and Denmark not only highlights the specific code as a recognizable cycle highway product. It also stresses the general network-identity without the need to add extra icons. The simple iconic design expands the range of (graphic) possibilities to improve the exposure of the brand towards potential users. If you apply this code-logo strategy, we advise you to:

• implement it on the highest scale possible (f.i. state level or higher). A higher scale creates diverse economies of scale. For more information about network-branding, visit CHIPS' recommended identify principles.  
• implement it consequently on and nearby the cycling infrastructure (f.i. wayfinding tools like markings on the ground, signposts, etc.). Use the code-logo on different tools and implement the brand colour strategy.
• integrate the iconic code in diverse touchpoints like brochures, maps, websites,  etc.  

Different examples of integration can be found in the playlists of the readability toolbox. 

The code-logo combination in Flanders
In Flanders, the cycle highway code-logo has the form of a triangle/arrow and refers to the saddle of a bicycle (see pictures). The central blue brand colour refers to the colour of the sky. The simple form of the triangle/arrow is easy recognizable and can be used to give direction (see pictures). The white letter F refers to the Dutch word "Fietssnelweg" (cycle highway). Together with the number the F-code refers to a specific cycling connection in the network. The number of digits is limited to 3.

The shorter F-numbers are reserved for the connections between the biggest cities. Codes for tangential connections (ring-structure) are differentiated from radial A to B connections (f.i. connection between a village and a city) by means of an extra letter "R". Example:

• F3: cycle highway Leuven-Brussels
• FR0: cycle highway ring structure around Brussels  

The code-logo combination in the region of Copenhagen
In Denmark, the C-code-logo has the form of a circle with a white letter C in it. The central brand colour is orange (see pictures). Unlike the logo in Flanders, the cycle highway number is not systematically integrated in the C-logo. On signposts the C-logo is often used in combination with a separate number. On the asphalt of the cycling infrastructure, the C-logo and/or central orange brand colour is used to improve the wayfinding. Compared to the Flemish triangle/arrow, the circular Danish C-logo does not give extra direction. On important decision points, the region of Copenhagen uses arrows designed in the same orange style as the c-logo.