On Friday 5 June 2020, Luxembourg's Minister of Tourism, Lex Delles, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mobility and Public Works, François Bausch, announced details of the Vëlosummer 2020 cycling initiative.
Minister Bausch stated that "the revival of cycling has been especially accentuated since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Our desire is to take full advantage of this development by making room for the bicycle in an even more substantial way.”
During the summer of 2020, four different measures will be implemented to promote tourism on two wheels.
Clever Fueren (50% grants on new bicycles)
The “Clever Fueren” grant will be doubled for any new bicycle purchased between 11 May 2020 and 31 March 2021 to encourage the acquisition of bicycles or pedelecs25, subject to legislative and regulatory procedures. The grant is 50% of the cost excluding VAT of the cycle, up to €600 maximum (the old limit was €300).
See www.cleverfueren.lu for details - this site also provides details of grants for 100% electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and motorcycles.
Bike shuttle on the Northern CFL line
During CFL projects on the Northern Line (Line 10), a specific shuttle for cyclists/bicycles will be set up to allow continuous transport of cyclists' bicycles. As places will be limited to 8 bicycles on any specific shuttle, the CFL is offering a reservation service to be contacted at the latest 4 hours before the departure of the shuttle.
Reservation of 16 road sections for cyclists
Between 1-31 August 2020, the Administration des ponts et chaussées (Bridges and Roads Administration) will implement the necessary measures to allow cyclists, agricultural residents and RGTR (rural service) buses to travel safely on 16 specific sections of different state roads. Motorised traffic will be organised via detours around the roads concerned for access to tourist destinations and the Horeca sector.
The sections targeted by this measure will be the following:
• Le Mullerthal via la PC3 et la PC2
• Gonderange - CR129
• Alzingen - Syren
• Une section du «Vëloexpresswee Esch-Luxembourg»
• Mamer -Schoenfels
• Mondorf - Ellange
• Koedange - Godbrange
• Bettel - Hoesdorf
• Wilwerdange - Weiswampach
• Ettelbrück - Welsdorf
• Limpach - Pissange
• Mensdorf - Übersyren
• Septfontaines - CR110 (Koerich)
• Steinsel - Hunsdorf - Prettingen - Gosseldingen - Mersch
• Sandweiler - Scheedhaff
• CR233 - Pont enjambant les CFL
Note: all these above road proposals have been submitted to the municipalities in order to be able to exercise their right of veto until 23 June 2020.
Luggage transport for hikers and cyclists
The 4th measure will allow hikers and cyclists who wish to explore Luxembourg by bicycle to take advantage of a new service from 23 June 2020. The Directorate-General for Tourism has set up luggage transport. This service provides that luggage will be transported from one accommodation structure (hostel, hotel, camp site,...) to another, while the customer travels on foot or by bike to their next destination.
As part of the revival of the tourism sector, it was decided that this new service will be offered free-of-charge until the end of the year. Minister Delles said in this context that "we want to provide a unique service for residents and tourists while increasing the supply of accommodation. I am also convinced that the tourism sector will benefit from the 'Vëlossummer 2020', which highlights our cycle paths with varied landscapes. Cycling is certainly the best way to discover the five regions of the Grand Duchy, while being welcomed in the best conditions by the Horeca sector”.
