In Vorarlberg, new local trains inspired by the Danish model are being introduced. VELLO is unveiling its latest cargo ultra-light titanium bike model, the SUB. The Department of Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) at the University of Salzburg has published its annual report for 2023. In Vienna, 330 traffic lights will soon be equipped with a green arrow for turning right on red. Additionally, RAINCOMBI is launching a special Ukraine edition of its rain overall.

New bicycle compartments in Vorarlberg

The province of Vorarlberg has opted for new multifunctional bike compartments to be used in the regional trains called “Desiro.” By October, all planned 21 train carriages should be in operation. These new bike compartments can accommodate 19 bikes, which are securely held in place with clamps. ÖBB-mobile attendant Gunti Brugger explains in an ORF feature: “We have different clamp strengths for city bikes or mountain bikes, and we load the bike backwards into the holder.”

This is because passengers are expected to use the bike compartments in a one-way system marked with arrows. “This reduces blockages,” says Katharina Schwendinger, the cycling coordinator from Vorarlberg province adminstration, a member of Cycle Competence, in an ORF interview. “You can easily board and place your bike in such a way that it’s already facing the right direction for disembarking.” According to Daniel Zadra, the Green Party’s regional councillor for transportation, they took inspiration from bike carriages in Copenhagen. In addition to the usual folding seats in multipurpose compartments and the innovative bike holders, the train carriages have been modified to include fold-out holders in winter for ski storage, giving Vorarlberg an advantage over Copenhagen!

More than 300 traffic lights with green arrow in Vienna

By May 2023, there were already more than 170 traffic lights with green arrows installed at junctions in Vienna. In July, regulations were issued for an additional 156 locations, all of which were reviewed by the Municipal Department 46. Among these,129 signs allow for right turns on red, while 27 allow for going straight through red lights. A list of these locations is available for download on the Fahrrad Wien website. The selection for right turns on red lights was made specifically for junctions where there are cycling facilities both before and after the turn. You can find an overview map of all green arrow traffic lights in Austria on the website of Cycle Competence member Radlobby Österreich here.

Making cargo bikes lighter and even more aesthetic

The VELLO SUB is one of the lightest longtail E-cargo bikes on the market and was presented in Vienna on September 1st as a titanium version. The TITANIUM weighs in at 24kg (singlespeed) or 26kg (with gears), which is 2 kg lighter than the already lightweight steel frame version. Thanks to its 20-inch wheels, the center of gravity remains low, and maneuverability is high, even when fully loaded. The powerful electric motor and large battery capacity make everyday tasks a relaxed experience. The standard length of 180cm and foldable elements allow for space-saving storage of the VELLO SUB Titan at home, on public transport, or in the back of a car.

Rain overall made in Ukraine

The RAINCOMBI Overall Parka is convertible into a rain jacket and is produced in a small factory in Ukraine, in what’s known as the “UA Edition.” The Ukrainian partner facility responsible for producing RAINCOMBI rain overalls is located in Lviv, Western Ukraine. Originally, the facility was based in Pokrovsk, in the Donetsk region. It is among the thousands of “relocated” companies that had to move to Western Ukraine due to the Russian conflict. RAINCOMBI CEO Oksana Stavrou emphasizes, “We want to support the Ukrainian economy and people in Ukraine. Through our production, we provide them with work, enabling them to earn a living and live with dignity in this exceptional situation.” The UA Edition overall is available in the webshop at raincombi.at .

The breathable RAINCOMBI rain overall is completely waterproof, with seams sealed from the inside with a watertight tape. It can be put on quickly: simply slip into the sleeves like a coat, zip up three zips, and you’re ready to go!

MOBILITY LAB with open source software NetAScore

Researchers from the MOBILITY LAB at the Department of Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) at the University of Salzburg have presented the NetAScore software solution at the Velo-city conference and made it available on GitHub. The current  annual report of  Z_GIS briefly outlines NetAScore.

The Mobility Lab is dedicated to developing a systemic understanding of bicycle mobility. This software solution provides an automated workflow for assessing the bike-friendliness of a specific target area, utilising data sources like OpenStreetMap. Each street segment is assigned a numerical indicator that reflects its suitability for everyday cycling.

Fotos: ORF Vorarlberg, Stadt Wien/Christian Fürthner, Hersteller, Faksimile