Your selection: Traffic Policy
The Austrian Bicycle Regulation in international comparison
The Austrian Bicycle Regulation (FVO) supplements the StVO with detailed provisions on child transport, trailers and equipment. It is already 23 years old and requires modernization, as, among other things, the common carriage of two children on longtail transport bikes does not comply with the FVO and multi-axle trailers may not be used. Members of the Cycle Competence Platform [...]
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 [...]
This was the Velo-city conference 2024 in Ghent
For 44 years, the Velo-city conference of the European Cyclists Federation has brought together the leading experts in cycling and has thus achieved the status of the world's most important specialist conference. The largest edition to date took place from June 18 to 21 in Ghent, Belgium, with 1,650 participants. Cycle Competence Austria was prominently represented. We bring you [...]
Cycling summit with 10th anniversary of Cycle Competence
The Cycle Competence Austria platform is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! Founded in 2014 by a group of innovative players in the cycling sector, our platform now has around 30 member companies and supporting members. Knowledge transfer and networking in the service of improving the quality of Austrian cycling is our mission statement, and international activities as the [...]
European Review: EU Cycling Declaration and study results from Paris to London
On April 3, 2024, the "European Declaration on Cycling" was formally signed at a meeting of EU transport ministers, the European Council, the Commission and the Parliament. This milestone in the supranational commitment to cycling as a fully-fledged means of transport and to key points for improving cycling is a sign that the important levers for promoting cycling are [...]
The new cycle-path construction program in Vienna
Since 2021, the City of Vienna has been stepping up the expansion of cycling infrastructure with increased funding from the klimaaktiv mobil program of the Ministry of Climate Protection. The new construction program was published at the end of March 2024. Important cycling axes and gaps in the main cycling network are being tackled and flagship projects such as [...]
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. […]
Future-oriented Study: Austria’s cycle infrastructure needs 7 Billion Euros of investment.
A study published in April 2022 by Cycle Competence members Planoptimo and Verracon at the request of the Ministry for Climate Protection and all nine Austrian regions has shown exactly how much investment is necessary for Austria to increase cycling to reach the ‘Cycling Masterplan’ goal in 2030. Presuming the highest quality implementation, the figure stands at 7 billion Euros. [...]
New Austrian Road Traffic Code in review
On the 29th of April, minister for climate protection Leonore Gewessler presented the latest draft of the Austrian road traffic code which promises to contain important improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. It is currently under review until the 1st of June and will be put to a parliamentary vote after that. Some of its highlights include ‘right turns on red’, [...]
First Bicycle Policy Audit for Austria completed
The purpose of a Bicycle Policy Audit (BYPAD) is to evaluate the realm of cycling in terms of politics, administration and cycling’s interest groups. This method has so far been carried out in more than 200 cities and regions across Europe. What makes it particularly successful is the ability of its participants to self-evaluate and create space for discussion. For [...]
Member News: Improved bicycle transport and cooperation with Ukraine
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. [...]
Ministry for Climate Protection: Funding 9,300 Bicycles and 87 Projects
The current evaluation by the Ministry of Climate Protection (BMK) shows that the purchase incentives within the klimaaktiv mobility grants for 2023 are being well received. Vorarlberg leads in E-bike support, Vienna is keen on folding bikes, and cargo bikes are very popular in Burgenland. The klimaaktiv mobility performance report for 2022 demonstrates that cycling, with 87 implemented grant projects [...]
Where does the tax reform for company bicycles stand?
The long-demanded legal equalization of e-bikes and electronic cars as company vehicles had been hinted at in spring. Now that there has been a government re-shuffle the tax reform seems to have been pushed way back again. The timing is quite unfortunate as the sale of e-bikes has reached a record high in Austria. The cycling coordinator for the city [...]