Cycling to work: Carinthia is moving towards shorter routes!

Cycling to work: Carinthia is moving towards shorter routes!

In Carinthia, the current mobility situation offers great potential for promoting cycling. According to the VCÖ, almost half of the employees there have a commute of less than 10 kilometers. This is more than 108,400 people, 68,400 of whom even cover less than 5 km. In comparison, only 45,000 people have a long commute of more than 40 km. These figures make it clear that the majority of commuters could benefit from the opportunity to use their bikes to get to work. Gailtal Journal reports that appropriate mobility management and the job bike model can provide companies with support for switching to bicycles.

VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky emphasizes that the existing cycling infrastructure is a decisive factor in increasing the share of cycling traffic. Good conditions for cyclists are essential to increase safety on the roads. Structurally separated cycle paths and 30 km/h zones can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and thus increase the willingness to use the bike to get to work. The share of cycling in Carinthia is currently 4%, while in Vorarlberg this share is 22%. VCÖ fact sheet explains that investing in cycling infrastructure is very economical: an investment of one euro brings a benefit of five euros.

Job bike model and its advantages

The Jobrad model encourages employees to use ecologically sustainable means of transport. This means employers can benefit from tax advantages and financial incentives, such as BM for mobility determines. Companies are able to provide their employees with bicycles suitable for everyday use that can be used for both business and private purposes. This can take the form of bicycles that can be used for a monthly fee or as a free service.

In addition, employers are recommended to create safe bicycle parking spaces, organize cycling competitions and offer free bicycle services. Another important aspect is the tax incentives for company bike leasing, which not only improves the parking situation, but also promotes the health of employees and thereby reduces the number of days of sick leave.

Goals and challenges of cycling traffic planning

The federal government has set itself the goal of increasing the share of cycling from the current 7% to 14% by 2024. However, these ambitious goals can only be achieved with appropriate cycling infrastructure. The cycle path network in Austria currently covers around 11,000 km. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that municipalities and cities bear responsibility for the planning, construction and maintenance of cycle paths. However, a lack of funding and planning skills could pose challenges for smaller communities, as the VCÖ fact sheet shows.

In conclusion, it can be said that the expansion of the cycling infrastructure is of primary importance in order to make commuting sustainable. The VCÖ Mobility Prize, which will be announced in 2025 under the motto “Mobility Management”, is a step in the right direction to support companies in their efforts to promote cycling as an attractive option for commuting to work.