Your selection: Road Safety
Amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations with new bicycle definitions and video surveillance
On October 21, the draft amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) was presented to the press by Mobility Minister Peter Hanke. The most important points are the introduction of video surveillance for traffic calming measures and new rules for e-scooters and e-bikes that are not pedal-assisted. There are no plans to make helmets mandatory for e-bikes. Open questions [...]
How road markings influence overtaking behaviour: pilot projects in Salzburg
In many places, guideline-compliant wide cycle lanes are not possible due to the width of the roads. However, due to a lack of suitable alternative routes, these sections of road remain part of the cycle network and require improved safety for cyclists. Solutions to this problem are currently being tested and researched in the ‘Reallabor Nußdorferstraße’ and in the [...]
Hightech on two wheels: Innovative cycling research with the Holoscene Bike
The Holoscene Bike provides Cycle Competence member Salzburg Research with an innovative research tool that uses state-of-the-art sensor technology to deliver objective data on cycling safety. Developed by Berlin-based start-up Boréal Bikes, the bike is equipped with LiDAR, GPS, cameras and communication technology and is being used in several projects. These range from analysing overtaking manoeuvres between cyclists and [...]
RADBEST research project: Cycling in confined road conditions
In traffic planning practice, the routing of bicycle traffic in confined spaces poses a particular challenge. The RADBEST research project, in which Cycle Competence members Salzburg Research, the Department of Geoinformatics at the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and con.sens mobilitätsdesign were involved, looked for possible solutions. To this end, regulations and scientific studies were analyzed, experts were interviewed [...]
Debate about e-scooter, cycle paths and suitable infrastructure
It is no longer just traditional bicycles that can be found on urban cycle paths. Instead, we are increasingly seeing a variety of transport bikes, pedelecs and e-scooters. These varieties of micromobility are legally considered bicycles in Austria and pose major challenges for the capacity of cycling infrastructure. We summarize an in-depth Ö1 radio debate that revolved around the [...]
Evaluation of Austria’s first bicycle zone
An experiment is taking place in the Styrian municipality of Fernitz-Mellach. Austria's first bicycle zone is being tested and comprehensively evaluated here for 12 months. The difference to the German regulation, where bicycle zones have been in place since 2020: The term does not yet legally exist in Austria. The pilot test is being planned and monitored by Cycle [...]
City comparison: How satisfied are Austria’s cyclists?
How safe do Austria’s cyclists feel in traffic? How do they rate the quality of bike paths? These are the questions that Radlobby Austria, member of Cycle Competence, asked in its bicycle climate test, the results of which have just been published. Salzburg and Graz received the best marks, but are still not entirely satisfactory. Vienna and Linz are at [...]
‘Right Turn on Red’: First implementation and international guidelines
These changes to the Austrian highway code have caused quite a stir: an additional sign with a green arrow now allows cyclists at some junctions to turn right or ride straight on through a red light. The ‘right turn on red’ rule was implemented in countries such as France, Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and The Netherlands some time ago. Austria is [...]
The new cyclefriendly Austrian Road Code
On the 1st of October the new Austrian road traffic code comes into effect. It contains important improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. Some of its highlights include ‘right turns on red’, minimum overtaking distances for cars, and legalising riding two abreast. The amendment also contains minor flaws and misses two important original proposals from the draft version. […]