For decades, Luxembourg’s capital city has been at the center of a growing and urgent conversation about the need for safer, higher-quality bicycling infrastructure. Recent tragic accidents involving cyclists have only heightened the frustration and underscored the critical importance of addressing this issue now. I encourage everyone to take the time to read, share, and discuss the recent articles from Le Quotidien Luxembourg (‣‣ https://lequotidien.lu/a-la-une/le-luxembourg-a-un-retard-considerable-sur-les-amenagements-cyclables/) and RTL Lëtzebuerg‘s Q&A with ProVelo President Monique Goldschmit (‣‣ https://www.rtl.lu/radio/invite-vun-der-redaktioun/a/2223669.html) and Luxemburger Wort (‣‣https://www.wort.lu/luxemburg/mein-sohn-hat-den-fehler-gemacht-sich-auf-dem-radweg-sicher-zu-fuehlen/17455034.html) that articulate these pressing concerns.
These news articles raise fundamental questions that resonate far beyond Luxembourg’s capital city. Why are so many cities struggling to meet and exceed the global goals for sustainable development—especially those set by the United Nations focusing on health, infrastructure, sustainability, and climate action?
Luxembourg, like many places around the world, faces what has been described as a “considerable delay in cycling infrastructure.” But let’s be clear: cycling infrastructure is not just a local issue; it is a vital part of the global effort to improve public health and promote environmental sustainability. This is directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which calls for providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all, with a particular emphasis on the needs of those in vulnerable situations. As Dr. Carlos Dora of the World Health Organization rightly states: “Investing in cycling infrastructure is a powerful way to enhance public health. By providing safe and accessible options for active transportation, we not only reduce the incidence of road traffic injuries but also encourage physical activity, which is a key factor in preventing non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.” This focus on public health is in line with the United Nations SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents and promote healthier lifestyles through increased physical activity.
Continued car, truck, and bus collisions with cyclists in Luxembourg are a painful reminder of the need for safer cycling routes to protect people, and the relevance of this issue stretches beyond just public health. Developing modern and innovative infrastructure is crucial for the sustainable growth of urban areas. As Janette Sadik-Khan, the former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation and now President of Bloomberg Associates, has observed: “Modern urban planning must prioritize cycling infrastructure as a key component of sustainable transportation systems. Cities that embrace innovative design solutions for cycling not only improve safety but also enhance connectivity and reduce traffic congestion.” This approach is essential for achieving United Nations SDG 11, as it promotes inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
The challenges that cities and communities across Luxembourg face today reflect missed opportunities: opportunities to lead by example in creating urban environments that are not only safe but also sustainable and inclusive. The benefits of such infrastructure are far-reaching. Amanda Ngabirano, Chair of the National Physical Planning Board of Uganda, highlights this well when she says: “Cycling infrastructure plays a pivotal role in creating more liveable communities by reducing air pollution, lowering noise levels, and making public spaces more accessible.” This directly supports the aims of United Nations SDG 13: Climate Action, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. This is particularly relevant for Luxembourg, where dense traffic and limited public space continue to pose significant challenges. Moreover, cycling is one of the most climate-friendly modes of transportation. Dr. Tim Schwanen from the University of Oxford points out: “Cycling is one of the most climate-friendly modes of transportation. By shifting more trips from cars to bicycles, we can achieve significant reductions in CO2 emissions, which is essential for meeting global climate goals.” Promoting cycling as a mode of transport is crucial for Luxembourg’s contribution to SDG 13, as it offers a practical solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Luxembourg’s local, regional, national and international efforts to combat climate change and to build a more sustainable future will be significantly strengthened by investing in a robust public works infrastructure that encourages active mobility. By doing so, Luxembourg will not only address its local challenges but also contribute meaningfully to the global effort to achieve the SDGs. This is not just about building bike lanes: it’s about building and normalizing a future where our cities are either healthier, safer, and more resilient for generations to come…or more congested, more polluted, more stressful, and increasingly hollowed out.
As we scale-up Active Mobility and supporting infrastructure…may I ask you: which of these 7 questions is most important to you…and why?
- What does continued car-collisions with cyclists reveal about the current state of cycling infrastructure and road safety in Luxembourg City?
- How might better infrastructure or stricter traffic regulations prevented such collisions?
- What are the immediate and long-term implications for public policy in Luxembourg following such accidents?
- How can the community contribute to making the streets safer for cyclists?
- What role do witnesses play in ensuring justice and accountability in such accidents? See RTL Today news article https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2224438.html
- How does car-collisions with cyclists reflect the challenges faced by vulnerable road users, and what measures could be implemented to better protect them?
- how urgent is it for Luxembourg City to accelerate its efforts in achieving the relevant SDGs, particularly those related to road safety and sustainable cities?
