The project “Fietsen onder de Grond” has taken a significant step forward as the schepencollege of Riemst approved the environmental permit on the evening of 2025-06-12 21:14:00. This cycling initiative, developed by Visit Limburg, aims to open a unique underground route in Kanne, attracting both locals and tourists. After a thorough revision of the original plan, which was withdrawn in 2024, the project now addresses earlier concerns raised by the Agentschap Natuur en Bos (ANB) and nearby residents.
- Schepencollege goedkeurt Fietsen onder de Grond
- Gemeente voert aanpassingen op basis studies door
- Jan Peumans kondigt beroep tegen vergunning aan
- Vzw Kanne Beter overweegt juridische stappen binnenkort
- Gemeente integreert project in toeristische strategie
- Project opent mogelijk voorjaar 2026 voor publiek
Community engagement played a key role in reshaping the proposal. The municipality and Visit Limburg collaborated closely with local groups and nature organisations, incorporating scientific studies on bat populations and air circulation within the cave. But with five formal objections and a petition of nearly 500 signatures, including many from Kanne, can the project truly balance tourism and environmental preservation?
As the debate continues, here is what the latest permit approval means for Riemst and its residents.
What does this decision imply for the future of local tourism and nature conservation? While the project promises to showcase hidden heritage and boost the visitor economy, it also raises questions about community impact and ecological sensitivity. Key points include:
- The project includes a winter closure and limited hours to protect bat habitats.
- It responds to local concerns through extensive dialogue and scientific adjustments.
- Some local politicians and groups plan to appeal, reflecting ongoing tensions.
- The initiative fits into a wider regional strategy to enhance sustainable mobility and tourism.
Looking ahead, will the project open as planned in spring 2026, or will legal challenges delay it? Stakeholders and residents must continue the dialogue to ensure that “Fietsen onder de Grond” becomes a model for respectful, community-driven tourism in Limburg and beyond.
