LF-routes

In 1987, Dutch cyclists' organisations founded a "countrywide cycling platform" to create a network of long-distance cycling routes throughout the Netherlands. This platform published maps and guides and started signposting its routes in 1990.

Belgium introduced its first long-distance route, not yet called "LF" by that time, in 1964: it connected youth hostels and was therefore called Jeugdherbergenroute, which later became the LF50. Belgium signposted its first LF-route in 1990 as well (the LF1 North Sea Route) and two years later, the GR organisation took over the planning of Belgian LF-routes.

At the maximum extent, both countries had created a network of 36 routes, of which 5 were only in Belgium, 15 in the Netherlands and 16 in both. Some routes also extend into France and Germany. However, due to the expansion of the numbered-node cycle network, Belgium reduced its official network in 2012 (routes marked ^{[Note 1]}) and the Netherlands is doing the same between 2017 and 2021 (routes marked ^{[Note 2]}).

Although a network like the Belgo-Dutch LF routes enable almost endless combinations of sections, a few themed routes have been officially established:

• Numbered-node cycle network, a second parallel signage system, allowing users to select arbitrary routes
• EuroVelo
• German Cycling Network, the national cycling route network of Germany
• National Cycle Network, the national cycling route network of the United Kingdom

• Long-distance cycle routes Archived 2015-02-11 at the Wayback MachineonNederland Fietsland website
• National LF network on Holland-Cycling.com