Role model Groningen

How Graz wants to get into the fast lane

More space for cyclists and pedestrians is the proclaimed motto of the current Graz city government. How this can be achieved has now been demonstrated in Groningen in the Netherlands.

(Bild: P. Huber)

The Dutch city of Groningen is considered a pioneer when it comes to modern mobility. 70 percent of residents mainly cycle or walk, making it the world leader in this area. A delegation from Graz has now visited the city to get some ideas - and there are some things they would like to do even better.

As soon as the traffic lights turn green, everyone starts pedaling - no matter which side of the intersection in the center of Groningen you are standing on. "At some point, we had to come up with new traffic rules to ensure smooth and safe progress," explains Bert Popken, chief spatial planner of the Dutch city, which is similar in size to Graz with its 244,000 inhabitants.

New traffic rules
No one wears a helmet here, hand signals are also dispensed with, but there are hardly any accidents, only those who brake lose. "With so many bikes, you have to stay in the flow. We now have something of a sixth sense when it comes to cycling, as it has long been in our DNA," smiles Popken.

Bikes everywhere you look. Here the Groningen train station.

(Bild: Barbara Winkler)

Groningen already underwent a political shift to the left in the 1970s - and with it came the transport revolution. "Businesses fought back loudly and feared their ruin. Today, everyone is happy that the city is there for its residents and guests - and not for the cars," says Mayor Koen Schuiling.

Climate change and social issues pose the same challenges for all cities. Bold and innovative solutions are now required.

Judith Schwentner, grüne Vizebürgermeisterin und Verkehrsstadträtin von Graz

Local economy flourishing
The result almost 50 years after the initial spark: 70 percent of Groningen's residents mainly walk, use public transport and cycle, and hardly any of the young people still own a car. The local economy is flourishing.

"I am pleased that we can certainly keep up with Graz and are perhaps even one step ahead in terms of walking," summarized Judith Schwentner, Green Deputy Mayor

(Bild: Stadt Graz)

"We have built a ring road around the city with Park&Ride facilities. These can be used free of charge," says Popken, naming a central component of the recipe for success. Hydrogen buses are used to get to the city center. Suppliers and local residents are allowed to drive up according to a set of rules, their vehicles disappear into underground parking garages and there are hardly any cars in public spaces.

Sometimes dangerous for pedestrians
Nevertheless, Schuiling has to admit that not everything is ideal when talking to the Graz delegation led by Green Deputy Mayor Judith Schwentner: "We were suddenly faced with the problem that our squares and streets were full of bicycles. We also didn't take pedestrians into account enough - they are now often pushed aside by cyclists."

Cyclists are the dominant road users in Groningen.

(Bild: Barbara Winkler)

But the visionary Dutch have also found initial solutions for this - Popken: "We have built underground bicycle garages and converted entire floors in existing large buildings into bicycle parking spaces."

Happy residents
Incidentally, Groningen's bold transport policy has recently catapulted it to the top twice in international comparisons: The city not only has the "highest bicycle density", but is also home to the "happiest residents".

Graz city planning director Bertram Werle (right) and traffic planner Wolfgang Feigl.

(Bild: Barbara Winkler)

Interview mit Stadtbaudirektor Bertram Werle und Verkehrsplaner Wolfgang Feigl

„Jedes Auto teurer als Öffi-Nutzung“

Mr. Werle, does it make a Graz city planning director envious to visit a city like Groningen, which is decades ahead of Styria in terms of transport planning?

It is very impressive to see how consistently the Dutch are pursuing their idea of an environmentally friendly traffic turnaround. Many courageous decisions were necessary here. Nevertheless, I am convinced that no one should be excluded - which is why Graz is also pushing for a healthy mix.

In Graz, the aim is to reduce the proportion of cars in urban traffic from the current 40 percent to 20 percent. How can this be achieved, Mr. Feigl?

By pursuing consistent urban development that focuses on people. The argument that using public transport is too expensive or too inefficient can no longer be accepted today. Every car is more expensive than a public transport ticket.

New road and public transport infrastructure in Graz is a constant source of criticism, especially during the construction phase. Rightly so, Mr. Werle?

Since 2001, the number of main residences in Graz has risen by 80,000. We cannot avoid redistributing public space. When residents complain about the loss of parking spaces, you have to put things into perspective: Why should they have more right to public property than pedestrians or cyclists? In the 1970s there was enormous resistance to the first Fuzos in Austria - today everyone is happy about it.

Participation in the press trip was at the invitation of the City of Graz.