An investment of millions

How the largest cities in Lower Austria are getting on their bikes

Wiener Neustadt wants to develop a reputation as a cycling city - and the city's leadership is also spending a lot on this this year.

(Bild: Stadt Wiener Neustadt)

In Wiener Neustadt, more and more people are switching to bicycles. In response to this trend, the city is now upgrading its transport infrastructure. The provincial capital of St. Pölten is also investing heavily in active mobility.

Not so long ago, on April 1, the bicycle lobby in Wiener Neustadt sent out the message that the city wanted its employees to pedal from appointment to appointment on company bikes. The idea at the time was to draw attention to the lack of focus on two-wheeled traffic. But a lot has happened since then. "We launched our cycling campaign in 2018 and have since invested at least 400,000 euros per year in promoting active mobility," says Mayor Klaus Schneeberger.

Austrian cycling summit to provide impetus
For this year, the Allzeit Getreuen has set itself particularly ambitious plans. On April 16 and 17, the Austrian Cycling Summit will take place in the country's second largest city, which is expected to provide additional impetus. There will also be a supporting program - such as the Tuesday Night Biking on 16 April from 5.30 pm, where not only conference participants are welcome. Schneeberger: "A total of around three million euros will be invested in cycling in 2024."

Full throttle from two wheels: Robert Schweighofer from Urban Development, Mobility Councillor Franz Dinhobl, Mayor Klaus Schneeberger and Environment Councillor Norbert Horvath (from left).

(Bild: Stadt Wiener Neustadt)

New underpasses and better markings
Among other things, the money will be used to build new pedestrian and cycle underpasses in Gymelsdorfer Strasse and Frohsdorfer Strasse as well as at the redesigned Civitas Nova train station. The route along the Wiener Neustadt canal near the Ort waterworks is also to be renovated and a rest area built at Schafflerhof.

Cycling summit 2024

Tuesday Night Biking will take place on April 16 with free admission. All interested parties are welcome from 5.30 to 7 pm. As part of the cycling summit, there will also be a "Cycling without age" event, where participants and senior citizens will be offered free test rides on rickshaws. The bike cinema will take place on April 18 from 8 pm. All information: www.radgipfel2024.at

In Ungargasse, the already planned cycle lane to the main square will be implemented, and various danger spots on Corvinusring or Domplatz will be marked in red and therefore better. Other investments include a new Nextbike station, a bicycle garage on the main square and road safety courses for schoolchildren. New overpasses and underpasses in the city are also being examined and planned.

160-Seiten-Plan ausgearbeitet

St. Pölten will weniger Autos in der City

More cyclists and pedestrians, fewer cars: St. Pölten set the course ten years ago with its general traffic concept. Over the past two years, the way to get there has been fleshed out. "Leitkonzeption aktive Mobilität" - or LAMOB for short - is the name of the resulting 160-page work.

The reconstruction of the promenade in St. Pölten already places great emphasis on cycling.

(Bild: Christian Krückel)

It contains not only an analysis of the current situation, but also almost 700 specific measures, including the westward extension of the Traisental cycle path, the construction of a fast link to Wilhelmsburg and improved road crossing options. The wishes and suggestions of 2,000 citizens who took part in online surveys were taken into account.

700 measures are included in the new master plan presented by city boss Stadler (left).

(Bild: Magistrat St. Pölten/Vorlaufer)

Only half of all journeys now made by car
According to the latest survey, 55 percent of journeys in St. Pölten are made by car. This figure is to be reduced to 42 percent by 2034, not least by doubling the current network of cycle paths, which is currently around 85 kilometers long. However, there is still no timetable for when which projects will be implemented. A cost estimate is therefore also not yet possible. "We are the city of short distances. We have already achieved a lot, but there is still a lot to do," says Mayor Matthias Stadler. The LAMOB is the long-term planning document for this.