Under the law, pending a vote in parliament, more cycling infrastructure will be marked with red paint or tarmac Photo: Matic Zorman

Under the law, pending a vote in parliament, more cycling infrastructure will be marked with red paint or tarmac Photo: Matic Zorman

More cycling paths in Luxembourg are set to be marked in red paint to highlight the infrastructure where it is shared with cars, transport minister François Bausch (déi Gréng) has confirmed.

Although some cycling paths in Luxembourg are already marked in red paint, there is no legal basis for this method to identify cycling infrastructure. This will change under a draft law to amend Luxembourg’s highway code.

“It’s indeed important from several points of view to call attention to cycling infrastructure on the ground in addition to signs,” Bausch said in answer to a parliamentary question. On the one hand, it helps cyclists know where to go. But it also alerts other road users, such as pedestrians and drivers, the minister said.

The paint is mostly used in conflict areas, where cyclists and drivers share the same road. But it does not give cyclists right of way, Bausch said.

The Council of State must submit its opinion on the law before it can come to a vote in parliament. The council has to review all laws whether they are compliant with Luxembourg’s constitution, international treaties and other laws.

Cycling groups have long called for better infrastructure, such as dedicated cycling lanes like those along Avenue de la Liberté or Boulevard John F. Kennedy. Painted lanes, like those marked in red, don’t offer the same kind of protection as fully separated paths.

Under the changes to the highway code, streets can also be repaved in a red material to highlight the cycling lanes.

Under a , Luxembourg wants to increase the use of bikes in daily life. For distances under 1km, cycling accounts for just 5% of journeys. It makes up around 2% of overall trips. The transport ministry wants to increase this amount to 11%.

Cycling group ProVelo has said that the but requires the country to speed up the development of safe cycling infrastructure.