Bicycle and pedestrian bridges in steel, composite and wood

The team of experts at BestBridges has over 30 years of experience in the design, engineering and construction of hybrid pedestrian and bicycle bridges for rail, road and hydraulic engineering. Creations that in most cases are executed as a clever combination of steel, composite and wood, last exceptionally long and have their own character every time. "We take all concerns off our clients' hands and offer a unique and sustainable solution through an integral and efficient approach," said managing director Karolien Van Thienen on behalf of the Sint-Niklaas (Belgium) based family business. 

The promise that BestBridges lives up to in every aspect of its work is cleverly "wrapped" in the first part of the company name, it turns out. "As a leading family business, we have captured our core values in 'BEST,' which stands for Build, Enjoy, Smile and Trust," Karolien explains. "These are four aspects that you should not only see reflected in each of our end products, they also represent the way we prefer to cooperate with our partners and customers."

Synergy

The fundamental pillars of BestBridges' creations, designed according to the Eurocode, are design freedom and durability. Two basic components that have now resulted in more than seventy possible hybrid combinations of steel, composite and wood. "Each bridge project has its own unique character and is characterized by a perfect synergy between parametric design, architecture and cost efficiency," says Karen Van Oost, Master Civil Engineer-Architect. "All thanks to our parametric product configurator, a tool that ensures that we don't have to start from scratch every time. And that translates into a durable and low-maintenance product with significant aesthetic added value at a lower cost." 

Clarity

In its market approach, BestBridges is by no means tied to a specific raw material or manufacturer. This allows the company to focus on transparency, sustainability and competitiveness. At the same time, BestBridges' specialists like to actively think along with architectural firms, engineering firms and contractors. In every project phase. "We do everything we can in construction teams to optimize the design costs and give the client a clear integral picture of the final overall picture," says Karolien. "That way, unpleasant surprises about cost price, lifespan and maintenance, for example, are avoided. Clarity before all else." 

Totally sustainable 

At BestBridges, they truly believe in the power of collaboration, transparent communication and local involvement. These are things that Karolien and her team invest in every day. Just like in sustainability. Company-wide. "It's a core concept that runs like a thread through our approach," she says. "You therefore see it reflected at every point within our work process. During the production and construction of our finished products. But also during their transportation and installation. At the same time, we place a high priority on cost and time efficiency during every job. To this end, in recent years we have invested heavily in our parametric product configurator. With success. Currently, there are no more than 50 to 100 days between contract signing and delivery of the bridge. Talk about fast delivery..."

Capital increase

BestBridges recently implemented a capital increase to secure not only pre-financing, but also guarantees. This was subscribed to by two reputable investors. These new funds not only support the company's growth, they also enable BestBridges to continue to invest in innovation and digitalization and differentiate itself in the market.    

Complete service

BestBridges offers a comprehensive approach. For example, the company incorporates both specific client requirements and local building codes in the design phase, and the client can choose from a broad spectrum of balustrades, floor decks, lighting and surface treatments. To arrive at a unique solution, BestBridges enjoys working with architects and urban developers. "The resulting custom configuration provides a clear understanding of both the appearance of the bridge and the associated cost," says Karolien. "In addition, we set high quality standards in manufacturing and ensure transparent traceability. Finally, we deliver the bridge to the construction site and also take care of its assembly."