KOERS. Museum of Cycle Racing

KOERS. Museum of Cycle Racing is a cycling museum in Roeselare, a city in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Housed in a beautifully restored former fire station, the museum tells the story of the bicycle and road cycling, with special attention to the surrounding region — often described as "the cradle of the flandriens," the tough, all-round classics riders long associated with this part of Belgium.

How did the museum come to be?

The collection now forming KOERS originally started in 1985 as part of the city's earlier Municipal Museum of Roeselare. Over time the collection grew large enough to warrant its own dedicated home. The museum officially opened under its current name, at its current location on Polenplein, on 27 March 1998.

What is there to see inside?

The permanent exhibition guides visitors through more than a century of cycling history. The collection includes more than 300 bicycles — ranging from early historic models to modern racing machines — along with countless race-worn jerseys actually used in competition, trophies, and other cycling memorabilia. One of the route's most distinctive features is a wall of cobblestones set at a 90-degree angle, a nod to the famous cobbled sectors of the Flemish classics. The museum also displays a so-called Service Course, a room filled with racing bikes, alongside testimonies from cycling enthusiasts and a striking gallery of action photography. The memorabilia collection spans a rainbow of colours, reflecting the many clubs and teams that have shaped the sport.

The museum also embraces a global perspective: a temporary exhibition titled "Worldwide Cycling" showcases objects and stories from more than 160 countries, illustrating just how universal and international the sport of cycling has become.

Who is the museum for?

The exhibition is presented trilingually — in Dutch, English and French — and guided tours are likewise available in all three languages. That makes the museum equally welcoming to local Flemish visitors and to international tourists exploring the region in the footsteps of the great cycling classics.

Beyond the exhibition itself, KOERS offers practical amenities for visitors, including lockers and showers, making it a convenient stop for amateur cyclists touring the region on their own bikes. After the visit, guests can unwind at the museum's own café, KOERSkaffee, which serves drinks and light refreshments.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the museum located? The museum is located in Roeselare, in the West Flanders province of Belgium, inside a former fire station building on Polenplein.

What are the opening hours? During the low season (October to February) the museum is open Monday to Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm. During the high season (March to September) it is open every day of the week, at the same hours.

Can I visit without speaking Dutch? Yes — the entire exhibition is trilingual (Dutch, English, French), and guided tours are also offered in all three languages.

What should visitors prioritize seeing? The distinctive angled cobblestone wall, the collection of more than 300 bicycles, and the Service Course room filled with racing bikes are the elements visitors tend to remember most.

Is there somewhere to eat or rest inside the museum? Yes, the museum runs its own café, KOERSkaffee, and also provides lockers and showers for visitors travelling by bicycle.