Vienna becomes green: New pop-up cycle path on the belt ensures a fresh wind!

Vienna becomes green: New pop-up cycle path on the belt ensures a fresh wind!

In the coming June, the city of Vienna will set up a new pop-up cycle path in the section of the Westbahnhof. This initiative comes from the Greens Vienna and aims to improve the belt cycle path, especially in this area. The bike path is placed on the left lane on the inner belt. This alleviates a harassment around the Westbahnhof, which significantly increases security and comfort for cyclists. This is part of a comprehensive plan for the climate -friendly development of the belt, which aims to halve car traffic by 2030.

According to the Greens Vienna, it is necessary to reorganize the traffic and give more space more space. In your future picture "Gemma Gürtel 2030+" you call for a doubling of the trees, more space for cyclists and pedestrians: inside, lighter crossings and the establishment of a tram line along the belt. These measures are part of a comprehensive concept that includes continuous cycle paths on both sides of the belt.

What is a pop-up cycle path?

pop-up cycle paths, also known as Corona cycle paths, were developed in North America in the 2010s and were used in many cities during the Covid 19 pandemic. They should create more space and safety in cycling at short notice, especially in crisis situations. In Germany, these cycle paths are often marked with yellow lines and construction site baks and set up by red setting for driving or parking strips. For example, a kilometer pop-up cycle path costs around 9,500 euros in Berlin.

The first pop-up cycle path in Berlin was opened on March 25, 2020 and was a success because it led to an increase in bicycle traffic by 260%. The initiative has contributed to promoting cycling and relieving public transport in many cities, including Vienna.

Potential influence on cycling mobility

In order to achieve sustainable changes in Vienna, several pop-up cycle paths were introduced during the pandemic to promote cycling. Studies show that such cycle paths can significantly increase cycling. According to an investigation by the Vienna University of Technology, the pop-up cycle paths enjoyed a high level of acceptance among the users

in Vienna the proportion of the paths covered with the bike rose from 7% in 2019 to 9% in 2020. This increase was favored by the introduction of the pop-up cycle paths. The bicycle traffic at the counting points increased by 12%, while in the case of leisure traffic, increases of up to 51% were recorded.

Minister of Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler emphasizes that the changeover to the bike plays an important role in climate protection. She emphasizes that 50% of all car rides are shorter than five kilometers and can be easily covered by bike. It is important that sustainable means of transport are promoted to reduce emissions in car traffic. A change from one of five inhabitants in cities to the bike could reduce emissions in Europe by up to 8%.

The introduction of the new pop-up cycle path at the Westbahnhof is a significant step towards more environmentally friendly mobility and could change the cityscape of Vienna sustainably. The "Gemma Gürtel 2030+" initiative is an important part of the urban traffic strategy, which is to be implemented over the coming years.