Second Lucerne Mobile Challenge ends successfully with over 50 participants

The participants did without their private cars for a month. Instead, they received an individually tailored mobility package. Halfway through the challenge, one participant had already returned the licence plate of his private car.

Over 50 people gave up their own cars for a month as part of the Luzernmobil Challenge. Instead, they travelled by e-bike, cargo bike, public transport, car sharing or on foot. The participants have a positive view of the challenge – as evidenced by the numerous activities undertaken during the challenge – whether it was a GA excursion to French-speaking Switzerland, a holiday, a big shop, transporting a dog or the daily commute to work. The participants' conclusion is clear: all activities are still possible, you just have to know how to organise yourself. Alexandra Staubli from Kriens, who took part with her family, explains: “We experienced the biggest change with our big shopping trips. We had to think about when we were going and whether the whole family should come along. The cargo bike was a great help for us.” The camping trip also required some changes: ‘We had to reduce the amount of things we packed, but we still didn't miss anything,’ explains Alexandra. This is proof that less is sometimes more – even when it comes to mobility. Philipp Schwarzentruber's family also took a short holiday with their four children, e-bike and cargo bike. Hilda Maria and Benno Erni from Sursee also organised themselves cleverly during the challenge. Their tip: regular recycling can help to avoid large and cumbersome transport. They used a pullable shopping trolley that can carry up to 50 kilos for their waste disposal. Stefan Portmann goes home as a cycling champion: he covered almost 1,000 kilometres in these four weeks with his fast e-bike.

The challenge raises awareness and educates
During the challenge, participants reflected on their mobility behaviour more than ever before and in some cases even changed their mobility routine for the long term. The 50 people taking part in the challenge are representative of an entire population that is part of the solution when it comes to making a contribution to achieving climate and mobility goals. In recent years, the range of car and bike sharing options has grown steadily and is now available in many regions of the canton of Lucerne. Attention is also being paid to ensuring that there is an appropriate infrastructure for so-called non-motorised traffic, i.e. pedestrians and cyclists. The organisers of the challenge wanted to ensure that the population became more familiar with these diverse offers and that the mobility partners became more visible. The organisers are drawing a positive balance. On the one hand, the participants had a lot of fun discovering other forms of mobility, and on the other hand, important messages were conveyed to a broad audience with the programme ‘anders unterwegs’ (on the move differently) on Tele 1. Finally, the organisers are pleased that one participant decided not to use his car again as early as the second week of the challenge. Two other participants have also sold their cars and four people are extending their challenge for an indefinite period. This change in thinking is what Lucerne Mobility, an initiative of the canton of Lucerne as part of the cantonal mobility management strategy, wants to encourage. Lucerne Mobility supports the move towards sustainable mobility with campaigns, promotions and advice. ‘We encourage people to try something new and, together with our mobility partners, we support them in making their mobility climate-friendly and clever,’ says Sarah Troxler, project manager at Luzernmobil.

Find out more about the Luzernmobil Challenge here: