Summary record
Video
Bike racks
Question posed by Paul Galles
As the number of bikes in the city increases, many cyclists are having trouble finding places to park their bikes. Bikes that are attached to posts or fences often cause an obstruction to pedestrians.
- Where in the city can bike racks be found, and where is it possible to get information on this topic?
- Is there an official register of bike racks in the city?
- Does the City have a strategy for installing additional bike racks?
- Is there signage informing cyclists where the nearest bike racks are located?
- Are cyclists given alternatives if bike racks are temporarily removed due to works?
- What are the rules on places where bikes may be parked?
Response provided by Patrick Goldschmidt
The installation and distribution of bike racks is based on the City's bike concept. Bike racks have also been installed in the Knuedler and Neipperg car parks. To find out the different locations, users can either check the City's map of the cycle path network or use the "Citymap" application on www.vdl.lu.
The City intends to further improve communication on this topic and is considering putting up signs indicating the locations of the nearest bike racks. The City does not have an official register of bike racks, but it does maintain a list of public bike racks for internal purposes. All of the bike racks are installed in strategic locations so as not to cause an obstruction to pedestrians. When applicable, the City forwards to the Government or CFL requests to install bike racks on plots of land that do not fall under the City's authority.
The matter of places where bikes may be parked is governed by the general regulations on public order and safety (Règlement général de police) – article 3 regarding the occupation of public thoroughfares and article 9 regarding the ban on dumping or abandoning items in public spaces – and by the law of 18 July 2018 on the Grand Ducal Police (loi du 18 juillet 2018 sur la Police Grand-Ducale) (article 13, under which the City of Luxembourg reserves the right to remove any vehicles, including bikes, that cause an obstruction in public spaces or pose a danger to other users).
The City has demonstrated some flexibility in this regard. To date, it has never removed any bikes, but it could do so if any complaints are lodged or if the bikes, scooters or other vehicles attached to posts or other objects pose a danger to pedestrians and other road users.
Playgrounds in the district of Neudorf
Question posed by Christa Brömmel
In late 2019, the schoolyard of the former Neudorf primary school was converted into a car park, despite the lack of playgrounds in the district.
- On what grounds did the City base this decision?
- Is this is a temporary measure, and could there have been another solution?
- How does the City intend to reduce the risk of accidents to zero? Does the college of aldermen think that the number and quality of the playgrounds in Neudorf are adequate?
- Does it intend to improve the offering?
Response provided by Patrick Goldschmidt
The temporary car park in the schoolyard of the former primary school was installed at the request of the local residents and traders for the duration of the works that are currently in progress on Rue de Neudorf.
The municipal departments make every effort to avoid dangerous situations that could result from using the courtyard of the former school as a car park.
The City seeks to build appealing playgrounds all over Luxembourg City, but this is proving to be somewhat challenging in Neudorf due to its topography. The district currently has two playgrounds, on Ale Wee and Rue du Grünewald.
Safety of the school route in the district of Belair
Question posed by Tom Krieps
The parents' committee of the Gaston Diderich elementary school has drawn up a list of the most dangerous pedestrian crossings in the district. Of particular note is the pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Avenue Guillaume and Avenue du Dix Septembre, where motorists coming from Avenue Guillaume are authorised to turn right onto Avenue du Dix Septembre when pedestrians have a green light.
- How does the City plan to follow up on this commendable initiative by the parents' committee?
Response provided by Patrick Goldschmidt
Working meetings have been held with the parents' committee, the "active-travel" working group, the highway patrol and the City of Luxembourg's Service Enseignement (Education Department) and Service Circulation (Traffic Department) to discuss the different pedestrian crossings in the district of Belair.
At the intersection in question, the lights for pedestrians do in fact turn green at the same time as the lights for motorists who wish to turn right or left. Similar situations also exist in other places in Luxembourg City, given that they cannot always be avoided.
In general, the City tries to regulate traffic lights in such a way as to ensure a steady flow of traffic, but it is currently assessing the possibility of changing the timing of the lights at the intersection in question at certain times. The college of aldermen hopes that this assessment will be completed in the spring of 2020.
Regarding the other intersections that the parents' committee considers to be dangerous, it was found during field visits that significant improvements could be achieved with only minor changes. The City will continue to work with the parents' committee to make the school route even safer.
"Call-a-Bus" and "Rollibus" on-demand services
Question posed by Guy Foetz
When public transport becomes free throughout the country on 1 March 2020, the state-operated "Adapto" service for persons with reduced mobility will also be free. This then leads to the question of whether the City of Luxembourg's on-demand "Call-a-Bus" and "Rollibus" services will also be free in the future.
Efforts have already been made to make the city buses and the bus platforms in Luxembourg City more accessible to wheelchair users. I would like to suggest that the City publish a leaflet to inform people with reduced mobility about these improvements, since the regular buses offer more flexibility without the need to book an on-demand bus in advance. However, care must be taken beforehand to ensure that all of the City's buses are accessible for people with reduced mobility.
I would like to remind you that in 2015, "déi Lénk" filed a motion on "Design for All", which provides for a systematic approach. Joël Delvaux, a former municipal councillor, intends to serve as a test subject to analyse to what extent Luxembourg City is accessible overall to people with reduced mobility.
More specifically, as regards the adaptation of the tax regulations (Règlement-taxe) being submitted today to the municipal council, I would like to know if the City of Luxembourg is at all flexible when it comes to user access to the "Call-a-Bus" service (which in theory is reserved for persons over 70) or the "Rollibus" service (which is geared towards people with reduced mobility).
- What rules apply if the maximum number of three additional passengers is exceeded?
- Do users need to fill out special City of Luxembourg application forms in advance, or can the City use information collected previously by the Ministry of Transport (Ministère des Transports)?
Response provided by Patrick Goldschmidt
From now on, the "Rollibus" service will be free for people with reduced mobility and for up to three additional passengers, a number decided on based on past experience. The Service Autobus (Bus Department) will be asked to be flexible if there is a fourth passenger.
In theory, all buses that run on Luxembourg City routes, including buses operated by external providers, are fitted with a ramp for wheelchair users. In the event of a breakdown, bus companies are not authorised to replace a bus that has a ramp with one that does not. Users are asked to notify the Service Autobus in case of any issues.
The former ticket inspectors will be tasked, among other things, with ensuring that the bus companies abide by the standards stipulated in the provisions of the agreements signed with the City of Luxembourg.
The terms and conditions of the state-operated "Adapto" service are different from those of the City's "Rollibus" service. People who are not eligible to use the "Rollibus" service are referred to the "Adapto" service. The City is also willing to seek customised solutions for people with temporary reduced mobility, provided they file a request with the college of aldermen. If necessary, adjustments to the services offered can always be examined.
