Luxembourg Hails New European Declaration as Proof of Commitment to Promote Cycling

Luxembourg's Ministry of Mobility and Public Works has reported that Minister Yuriko Backes took part in the informal meeting of Transport Ministers in Brussels on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 April 2024.

The meeting took place under the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Luxembourg's Minister for Mobility and Public Works noted that it "provided an important opportunity to discuss in detail the fundamental challenges of mobility in Europe including the ecological transition, energy security and the reduction of carbon emissions."

During a first discussion session, the ministers discussed active mobility and cycling. Minister Backes highlighted the importance of measures to ensure the safety and accessibility of cyclists: "We must ensure that cycling is a safe and accessible option for everyone, including children, women and residents of rural areas."

Demonstrating the collective commitment to improving cycling infrastructure and promoting cycling-friendly policies in Europe, the European Declaration on Cycling was signed on the sidelines of the meetings by the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament and the European Commission. "This declaration – initiated several years ago by Luxembourg – underlines our commitment at European level to promote cycling as a preferred means of transport," stated Minister Backes. "It aims not only to improve the quality of life of citizens and further reduce carbon emissions, but also to stimulate the economy by creating jobs and promoting innovation in the bicycle sector. In Luxembourg, I am fully dedicated to expanding cycling infrastructure in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, ensuring sustainable progress for our community."

Another topic of discussion at the meeting was European rail connectivity. The ministers highlighted the importance of international trains as an environmentally friendly alternative to more polluting modes of transport. Minister Backes insisted on the need to develop a European railway network compatible with all current specifications: "If conditions permit in the future, Luxembourg aspires to quickly join the night train network."

The ministers also discussed the policy to adopt in order to make transport infrastructure more resilient in the face of climate change. With the upcoming entry into force of the regulation on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), Europe has equipped itself with a planning tool to implement multimodal, interoperable and sustainable transport infrastructures, noted the Luxembourg ministry. In the presence of representatives of third countries and in particular the Ukrainian Transport Minister, the assembly reiterated its support for the Ukrainian people and concluded that military mobility must be further integrated into the development of the TEN-T.

On the sidelines of these meetings, Minister Backes had bilateral discussions with her new French counterpart, Patrice Vergriete, Minister Delegate for Transport, and the Swedish Minister for Infrastructure and Housing, Andreas Carlson, among others. "Collaboration and the exchange of experiences at European level are fundamental to shaping the mobility of tomorrow in a sustainable and efficient way," the Luxembourg minister concluded.