Wegenarmen

Wegenarmen, a Dutch term, translates to "road shoulders" or "roadside verges." It refers to the unpaved strip of land bordering a public road. Traditionally, wegenarmen served practical purposes. They provided a safe space for horse-drawn vehicles to pull over, allowed pedestrians and cyclists to travel off the main carriageway, and facilitated the drainage of rainwater from the road surface. In many rural areas, they also served as informal parking spots for agricultural machinery or as areas for grazing livestock.

Over time, the design and function of wegenarmen have evolved with advancements in road construction and traffic management. In modern contexts, they are often more formally defined and may be stabilized with gravel or grass to prevent erosion. Their role in safety remains paramount, offering a buffer zone between the traffic lanes and adjacent properties. While less common for pedestrian use on high-speed roads, they can still accommodate cyclists in some jurisdictions or provide space for maintenance crews. The management and maintenance of wegenarmen are typically the responsibility of the local or national road authority.