A cycle path between Arlon and Luxembourg under study
Both on the Belgian and Luxembourg side, the project is welcomed with a certain enthusiasm. However, making such a layout is not without constraints.
Cross-border mobility
Both on the Belgian and Luxembourg side, the project is welcomed with a certain enthusiasm. However, making such a layout is not without constraints.
At the end of November, the Benelux countries and North Rhine-Westphalia launched a common roadmap for cycling containing new initiatives to promote the use of bicycles and serve as a model for the European Union. This roadmap should encourage citizens to use the bicycle more in order to generate its share of positive consequences, both for the environment and for mobility.
As we know, this model of soft mobility is more than ever advocated in Luxembourg, in particular to relieve congestion on cross-border axes. And precisely, a study, carried out on the sidelines of this common roadmap, is interested in the possibility of a cycle path depending from Arlon, in Belgium, to Luxembourg-city. According to the latter, the realization of such a route would only have advantages.
Several tens of kilometers separate the two cities. However, according to the study, it would be enough to invest a little less than three million euros in order to reap more than 25 million euros in profits. Does it seem missing to you? The study explains this by significant improvements in health. Less pollution, fewer traffic jams and therefore more productivity, CQFD. Whatever the scenario (new track or improvement of the existing infrastructure), everyone would be a winner if the number of new cyclists increases by only 4%.
Ongoing discussions
All of this is encouraged, but in reality, are Luxembourg and its Belgian neighbor ready to make such an initiative a reality? It would seem so. Questioned by MP Jean-Philippe Florent, the Walloon Minister for Mobility Philippe Henry (Ecolo) did indeed confirm that discussions were underway between the City of Arlon, the intermunicipal company Idelux as well as the municipalities of Steinfort, Capellen and the Luxembourg Ministry of Mobility.
The idea would thus be to submit an application for INTERREG VI funding for the study and construction of a cycle link between Arlon and Capellen (16 kilometers away), which would serve Steinfort, Kleinbettingen station, Mamer and the ZAE from Windhof. It would seem that it is on the N4, well known to Belgian cross-border workers, that this connection takes place. This is the most “logical” solution for Minister Henry.
While the railway works on the Brussels-Luxembourg line drag on and that the project of carpooling lane on the A6 seems to be at a standstill, one wonders when this “express” cycle lane project could see the light of day. “It is in June 2023 that the region will have to validate its possible participation on the basis of the budgetary estimates to be committed possibly in 2024”, notes Minister Henry. You will therefore have to be patient.
Finally a credible alternative to the car?
The man says he is in any case ready to support the initiative. “It seems to me to be a project to support, because I regularly point out the economic advantages linked to the increase in the cycling modal part. This project will make it possible to offer a plausible alternative to the car for people traveling to Luxembourg.”
The story is similar on the Luxembourg side. In a parliamentary response to a question from MPs Chantal Gary and Djuna Bernard (déi Gréng), the Minister for Mobility François Bausch (déi Gréng) adds that such a project is an integrated part of the National Mobility Plan 2035.
The man also returned to the characteristics, and possible constraints, implied by this Arlon-Luxembourg track. “This thus provides for a minimum number of stops imposed on cyclists, slopes and bends adapted to a speed of 25 km/h and separation from pedestrian flows,” he says. Conditions sine qua non in order to qualify for the famous “express cycle route” label.
A major force
However, the Minister does not evade the fact that the degree of urbanization along the Arlon road will make it “difficult” to be able to meet the requirements of an “express” cycle route in the crossing of Bertrange and Strassen. to the center of the City of Luxembourg. “Nevertheless, it is the real quality of the cycling infrastructure that interests and holds cyclists and not the label targeted by it”, assures the Minister.
Like his Belgian counterpart, François Bausch is also convinced of the merits of this track. “The study commissioned by Benelux and North Rhine-Westphalia estimates that between 4% and 20% more cyclists would use this planned cycle route if it met the criteria required for this label”.
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