Strasbourg → Luxembourg: two Karbikes to cross three borders and open up a new vision of mobility
Sustainable mobility in Luxembourg?
Luxembourg is currently experiencing a structural dependence on private cars: more than two out of three working people use their cars to get to work, the country has approximately 678 cars per 1,000 inhabitants, and the average occupancy rate remains very low (1.22 people per car). The result is congestion that can amount to 64 hours lost per year for each driver, and a significant carbon footprint.
Transport accounts for nearly 60% of national emissions, or more than 6 million tons of CO₂eq in 2024, fueled by a heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, which constitute 56% of the country’s energy consumption. This energy vulnerability exposes Luxembourg to crises and rising prices. Meanwhile, the transition to electric vehicles is progressing slowly (approximately 2% of the fleet in 2022) and cannot be achieved without a transformation in usage patterns.
Meanwhile, active mobility remains underutilized: only 3% of working people use bicycles for their daily commutes (approximately 10% walk), while half of all national trips are less than 5 km, a distance ideally suited to cycling or light vehicles. Many of these short trips, accessible in 15 minutes by bike, are still made by car. This model leads to urban sprawl, unequal access, and low resilience to disruptions.
Yet, an alternative exists: supporting sustainable, accessible, and repairable modes of transport designed for short distances, while also training the professionals who can support them (bicycle/e-bike technicians, low-tech engineers, mediators, and repairers).
It is with this in mind that Äerdschëff has strengthened its collaborations with partners such as the Commune de Sanem, Haus vum Velo and Youth4Planet to launch the Lët’z do it – Imagination powered transition program, an initiative deeply rooted in citizen co-creation and low-tech transition.
Within this framework, we are launching an experimental trip on December 5th with two Karbikes, intermediate light vehicles (ILVs) limited to 25 km/h, compatible with cycle paths, low-tech, energy-efficient, and aligned with planetary boundaries.
Why this journey? A living demonstration of resourcefulness and ingenuity
From December 5th to 8th, two Karbikes will travel from Strasbourg to Sanem to demonstrate:
- that a low-tech electric vehicle can cover long distances with minimal energy,
- that these vehicles truly meet the challenges of the terrain (hills, weather, utility),
- that a different vision of mobility – slower, simpler, more resilient – is possible,
- that frugal technology can become a lever for local and social development.
The journey will also serve as material for the documentary “Taking Action Against Extreme Watts,” produced with Youth4Planet.
Throughout the journey, the team invites residents, municipalities, and anyone interested to contact us via team@aerdscheff.lu or our social media channels to meet us, ask questions, or simply say hello to the team along the way.
A National Tour Focusing on Local Initiatives
After arriving in Sanem, the two Karbike vehicles will travel through several Luxembourgish municipalities to visit places where repair, sustainable mobility, education for the transition, local tourism, and citizen creativity are being developed. From December 9 to 16, the Äerdschëff team will connect with stakeholders such as: Facilitec, Haus vum Vëlo, Youth4Planet, CELL, Moloko, Provelo, and Atert-Lycée Réiden.
A Key Event Coming Soon: The Expert-Citizen Forum on December 17
All the observations, feedback, and meetings from the tour will contribute to the Expert-Citizen Forum “Sustainable Mobility” on December 17 in Sanem.
This forum will bring together citizens, technicians, municipalities, young people, experts, and educational stakeholders to collaboratively develop a proposal for an inter-municipal center dedicated to light-duty vehicles – a place for repairs, training, shared services, and citizen-led research.
Both Karbikes will be available for on-site testing!
