"One question we were asked by the participants in the planning workshops was whether the light rail is needed at all if the cycle path network is being expanded," reports Michael Ilk, Managing Director of the Zweckverband Stadtbahn. His answer is a clear "yes". After all, there are citizens who are unable to use their bicycles for health reasons. "The light rail is a modern and very efficient means of transport for everyone - young or old, with or without a disability, a single person or a family with a baby carriage. What's more, LUCIE runs reliably in all weathers, even in weather conditions where even hardened cyclists don't necessarily enjoy pedaling."
LUCIE complements cycle traffic
However, the light rail system is not in competition with cycling. Quite the opposite: the light rail vehicles are generously dimensioned and also allow bicycles, baby carriages, walking frames or e-scooters to be transported without any problems. Of course, the light rail vehicles are also designed for people who are dependent on wheelchairs and are steplessly accessible. In this way, LUCIE is also a complement to bicycle transportation. "In view of the ever-increasing volume of private transport, which is increasingly pushing roads and the environment to their limits, it is even a necessity in order to implement the traffic turnaround in the district of Ludwigsburg," Ilk continues.
Answering important questions
Many other questions about the light rail system were asked at the public participation events. Whether funding rates, compensation measures or nature and species protection: the light rail association answers the important questions in a series of texts.
