Spring awakening in Lower Austria: 1,150 new nextbike bikes launch!

Spring awakening in Lower Austria: 1,150 new nextbike bikes launch!

On March 26, 2025, the beginning of spring marks the start of the new cycling season in Lower Austria. With the blossoming of nature and the longer days comes the motivation to get back on the bike. This year, Lower Austria's cyclists have an improved offer available: over 1,150 nextbike rental bikes will be made available to meet the needs of users. This initiative is documented in an official report by OTS highlighted.

The number of loans has increased by an impressive 71% in the last year to almost 350,000. This shows a growing interest in this environmentally friendly means of transport. Around 73 communities and 198 special lending stations are part of the network, which is primarily located at train stations and public facilities. You can rent a bike easily via an app or by phone. The rental rate is 1 euro per hour or 10 euros per day.

Goals and initiatives to promote sustainable mobility

The “Lower Austria cycles” challenge, which runs until the end of September, motivates citizens to collect cycling kilometers and win prizes. Walking is also encouraged; various initiatives have been launched for this purpose, such as “Toni, the traffic fox” and “Walk to school”. These programs are intended to promote road safety, especially for children, and increase awareness of sustainable mobility. The aim of all measures is to create a healthy and safe environment in everyday life.

The bike rental service nextbike has been active in Lower Austria for nine years. During this time, the fleet has continuously expanded and improved. Almost half of the rental bikes are replaced regularly, and 400 new bikes will be purchased this year. These new rental bikes have a modern locking system with GPS tracking and Bluetooth, automatic LED lights, puncture protection tires as well as a height-adjustable saddle and a stable front basket, which significantly increases riding comfort.

Lower Austria in the context of sustainable mobility

Compared to other regions, the development in Lower Austria is particularly remarkable. While Hamburg occupies 14th place in the current “Federal State Mobility Index” and is seen as one of the bottom performers in sustainable mobility, Lower Austria is making positive progress. Hamburg has to contend with high noise and air pollutant levels, which has a negative impact on the quality of life of its residents. The transport policy there has been criticized as inadequate for years, while in Lower Austria the expansion of the cycling infrastructure is being promoted through targeted measures.

Overall, the initiatives in Lower Austria look promising and are helping to increase awareness of sustainable mobility. The increased use of rental bikes and associated programs is a step in the right direction for promoting environmentally friendly transportation and improving the quality of life in communities.