The Association of Bicyclists insists on making Luxembourg's streets car-free

At the beginning of the year, the city of Luxembourg announced the extension of the pedestrian zone in the center of the capital by making the Rue de la Boucherie, part of the Rue du Marché-aux-Herbes, as well as the Grand-Rue, free of cars. However, the Luxembourg cyclists' association Provelo considered this step inadequate.

Although the municipality said it wanted to promote soft mobility, citizens will only be allowed to ride bikes on these streets at certain times, from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., according to the closing hours of stores and bars on the street. No such rule existed before the expansion of the zone. More pedestrian traffic on these streets, as well as the presence of terraces and stores, makes it unsafe for both.

The bicycle community is looking to expand the car-free zone to Rue du Fossé, which now remains open to commercial trucks. Despite the formal ban, the street is used by all kinds of cars, making it unsafe for soft mobility as well. The organization wants the city to take a crisper approach to zone car-free spaces.

A harmonic coexistence of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers is unfortunately not always possible in reality. The discussion will continue with local community members, entrepreneurs, and district chiefs.