The Lëtzebuerger Vëlos-Initiativ (Luxembourg cycling initiative) was founded in 1985, a year after a big demonstration by cyclists organised by the Mouvement Ecologique environmental organisation.
Back then, it had just 200 members. Today, under the new name ProVelo (since 2020) that number has swelled to 2,000. However, the core if its actions and impetus remain unchanged decades later.
“To achieve better infrastructure and safer conditions for cyclists in order to help the bike become a more widespread alternative as a means of transport,” explained Philippe Herkrath, from ProVelo.
In the early years, “political support for the bike was completely lacking,” Herkrath said, and it was thanks to activists, together with a global growth in awareness of the importance of cycling, that ProVelo slowly evolved into a more structured non-profit association which works with municipal administrations, government ministries and other partners.
Philippe Herkrath from ProVelo said the aim of the organisation remains the same – to promote a better infrastructure and safety for cyclists © Photo credit: ProVelo
Today ProVelo has four employees but also numerous volunteers, including on its board. They carry out political work and activities for members, but also support projects such as the bed+bike label, the GoGoVelo campaign, and various other initiatives including regular sessions to help adults learn to cycle.
The organisation will be celebrating 40 years with a week of cycle-related activities, culminating in Festivëlo on 21 September. Cyclists, enthusiasts, those who want to learn to cycle – everyone is invited to join, with events in Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette (see below for more details).
Sustainable transport
“The aim of ProVelo has not changed fundamentally since its inception. We still want to establish the bicycle as a fully-fledged alternative to other, less sustainable forms of transport, particularly in urban areas,” said Herkrath.
“We also want to make cycling accessible to all residents and visitors by providing safe and comfortable cycling infrastructure for all ages, and to promote cycling as a leisure activity and Luxembourg as a cycle-tourism destination,” he added.
Cycling has positive impacts on health, both mental and physical, Herkrath said, and is the best mode of transport to reduce environmental pollution. It is also the fastest way to travel short distances.
Cycling classes for adults
“Most people learn to ride a bike as a child, although it is more complicated to learn it later in life, and can hold some stigma which keeps people from learning,” said Danièle Mousel, who is responsible for the ProVelo bicycle school.
Danièle Mousel organises adult bicycle lessons several times a year to give Luxembourg residents the confidence to travel by cycle © Photo credit: ProVelo
ProVelo regularly organises cycling classes for adults in Luxembourg City in collaboration with the City of Luxembourg and the Oeuvre Grande-Duchesse Charlotte non-profit.
“These classes are for absolute beginners but also for people who feel unsure or afraid of a bike, because they offer everyone a safe space to learn,” she said.
Over eight days, for two hours per day, ProVelo volunteers propose useful exercises to help people get familiar with a bicycle. Courses are adapted individually to each participant’s progress.
Festivëlo – 21 September
The organisation will be celebrating its 40th birthday on 21 September in a festival that brings together national and international cycling enthusiasts and celebrities for a full day of fun around bicycles. Festivëlo also marks the conclusion of European Mobility Week.
There’ll be cycle football, trial bikes, artistic cycling, and visitors can borrow a wacky, hand-crafted bike from Cycles Comiques Olm, and pedal around the Gëlle Fra.
The Mobile Germany Bicycle Museum will have historical models to view and even try out, and there will be a special cycling course where children can test their skills.
Visitors are invited to decorate their own bicycle, or sample refreshments served by food bikes and food trucks. For the occasion, ProVelo is offering its in-house ‘Radler:in’, a non-alcoholic shandy with a clever cycling pun, created with the Minettsdapp Brewery of Dudelange.
‘Radler:in’, a non-alcoholic shandy with a clever cycling pun, created with the Minettsdapp Brewery of Dudelange will be available at Festivëlo © Photo credit: ProVelo
If your bike needs repair, The Happy Cyclist will be on site to take a look, and there will be musical entertainment from bagpipe players to an African drum show and workshop.
There will be several events and activities in the run-up to the bicycle festival, which coincide with European Mobility Week. These include:
16 September – croissants handed out to cyclists at the Schuman roundabout.
17 September – a film evening and discussion on Les roues de l’avenir (wheels of the future)
18 September – an official birthday celebration in Esch-sur-Alzette with mobility alderman Meris Sehovic and Minister for Mobility Yuriko Backes.
19 September – Orange Bike Ride, organised by ProVelo and the Dutch Embassy starting at Gëlle Fra and finishing at Kirchberg Kinepolis, followed by a screening of the film When We Cycle, with a discussion with mobility expert Stein van Osteren. Registration for the free film is by email to the Dutch Embassy: lux-events@minbuza.nl
20 September – ProVelo will give guided bike tours with various partners, including a mountain bike tour with Youth Hostels Luxembourg, a gravel ride with Panaché Vëlo, Bike and Rail with CFL, and an opportunity for children to get their first experience of mountain biking around the forests near Mudam.
More details can be found on the ProVelo website and registration is mandatory for some tours as places are limited.
The programme for FestiVËLO © Photo credit: ProVelo