Tag Archive: austria

  1. E-bikes account for majority of the Austrian bicycle market

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    Source: Saz Bike

    Austria’s Arge Fahrrad bicycle association has published its 2024 sales figure for the Austrian market, reporting the region as having the largest share of e-bikes in Europe.

    After the number of e-bikes sold surpassed non-electric bikes for the first time in 2023, sales figures have since increased by 5% for 2024, accounting for 57% of the overall Austrian bike market, equating to the highest share in Europe. Meanwhile, in Germany e-bikes took up 53% of its market in 2024.

    Austrian bicycle market in recent years

    As the German bicycle market experienced a decline in 2024, its neighbouring country Austria also had a slight decline in bicycles sold compared to the previous year (-6.1%). However, the Austrian market has had an overly positive year like previous years, with 2024 sales generating €1.055 billion, the fourth time in a row that Austria’s market has exceeded one billion Euros.

    The role of subsidies in Austrian bicycle sales

    Although many countries have experienced challenging economic conditions since the pandemic, following Austria’s introduction of subsidies it has experienced a continued uptick in e-folding and e-cargo bike sales, with a sixfold increase in the number of company bicycles since 2022.

    Until 2024, Austria’s e-mobility initiative, a joint cooperation of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection with the sports and bicycle trade, offered up to €900 in subsidies towards the purchase of a new e-cargo bike and up to €500 for an e-folding bike, resulting in 13,300 electric bicycles being subsidized. From these positive increases, the Arge Fahrrad (Bicycle Working Group) is hoping for an extension in subsidies.

    Bicycle industry stakeholders campaign for an extension in e-bike subsidies

    Hans-Jürgen Schoder, spokesperson for the Arge Fahrrad, commented on the status of the overall bicycle market, with recommendations on how to strengthen it. “We predicted the decline due to the challenging economic conditions, which naturally have a negative impact on consumers’ purchasing power. But it is significantly smaller than expected; especially with e-bikes, we have some strongly growing segments, which makes us very confident. This makes it all the more necessary to create a political framework that will strengthen domestic purchasing power and get the economy going”.

    Michael Nendwich, spokesperson for the sporting goods trade at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber and managing director of the VSSÖ has commented on the need for subsidies to continue: “On the one hand, there is strong demand and added value in the domestic sports and bicycle trade. On the other hand, there has been a strong increase in sustainable electromobility for commuters, transport, and many other journeys using e-bikes for years. This is a tandem that must absolutely continue on the road to success. Reviving the successful subsidy models for (e-)folding bikes and (e-)cargo bikes, which expired last year, is imperative. These are a game changer for sustainable mobility – even in an economically difficult year with cautious consumers. The repair bonus also contributes to the bicycle trend,”

    Anticipated Austrian bicycle market status for 2025

    Schoder from Arge Fahrrad maintains an optimistic outlook for the current season for the industry and retail as other bicycle markets are also increasing their market share. “The bicycle is not only an important and reliable economic factor in Austria, but also a consistent trendsetter. E-mountain bikes have been stable for years and are even still slightly increasing at a high level. The fact that we are still able to gain market share and new fans for gravel bikes (+12.7 percent) and road bikes (+20.8 percent), even in economically difficult times, makes us confident for the future. The initial feedback from our retailers regarding Easter business is also cautiously optimistic. Industry and retail have done their homework, are always in close contact with our consumers, and we hope for another strong year for cycling in 2025,” Schoder concludes.

  2. Study highlights potential for safer cycling in the DACH region

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    Source: SAZ BIKE

    A recent cross-border study conducted in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland has investigated methods to enhance cycling safety in confined spaces.

    The research, undertaken as part of the Radbest project, focused on the overtaking distance of motor vehicles when passing cyclists, revealing significant disparities in adherence to prescribed safety measures.

    Measuring overtaking distances

    The study employed specialized bicycles fitted with multiple sensors to measure the lateral distance maintained by motor vehicles during overtaking maneuvers. Over 7,000 instances of overtaking were analyzed across the three countries. While Germany and Austria mandate a minimum overtaking distance of 1.5 meters, Switzerland lacks such a regulation. The findings indicate that, despite existing laws in Germany and Austria, cyclists are frequently overtaken with insufficient space. In Switzerland, where no minimum distance is enforced, the prescribed safe distance was even more frequently undercut.

    Perceived danger and cycling behavior

    The study’s findings suggest that inadequate overtaking distances contribute to a widespread perception of cycling as unsafe, which discourages many individuals from using bicycles as a primary means of transport. Survey responses from cyclists using the test routes highlighted that a significant portion of the population views cycling as a risky activity. Notably, the statement “Cycling on the road requires courage” found stronger agreement among Swiss respondents compared to their German and Austrian counterparts, reflecting a heightened sense of vulnerability among cyclists in Switzerland.

    Proposed safety measures

    Given the challenges of ensuring cyclist safety in constrained urban environments, the Radbest researchers emphasize that there is no single optimal solution. Instead, they recommend a tailored approach based on specific spatial limitations. One proposed measure involves the introduction of narrow core lanes with wide bike lanes on both sides. However, the study also cautions that roads featuring two-sided cycling lanes without a central guiding line tend to result in significantly more close passes by vehicles.

    As an additional safety measure, the researchers advocate for the clear marking of designated cycling spaces and the enforcement of a speed limit of 30 km/h in areas with limited road width. These measures, they argue, could help mitigate the risks associated with cycling in confined spaces and encourage more people to consider bicycles as a viable and safe mode of transportation.

    The Radbest study underscores the necessity of continued efforts to improve cycling infrastructure and regulations across the DACH region. By addressing safety concerns, policymakers can foster a more inclusive and cyclist-friendly transport environment, potentially increasing bicycle usage and promoting sustainable urban mobility.

  3. Vienna to overhaul city-centre e-scooter ecosystem

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    Source: TheMayor.eu

    The number of e-scooters in the city centre will be severely restricted, parking rules will be updated, and speed limits will be reduced in this major regulation shift

    The new regulations are set to come into effect in May 2023, while the local council will vote on the package of measures in December. This policy change has come about following the increase from 2018-2021 in both e-scooter-related injuries (1,025 to 2,560) and deaths (17 to 24). Many of the incoming regulations will therefore focus on improving safety for both riders and pedestrians.

    The expected changes can be grouped into three main categories:

    City centre e-Scooter distribution

    Perhaps the largest policy change regards a proposed restriction of max. 500 e-scooters in the city centre at any given time; this is extremely restrictive when considering the current average of approx. 1,500. According to City Councilor for Mobility, Ulli Sima, this type of mobility is very useful for last-leg journeys and authorities are trying to position them in metro stops in residential areas and push ride-sharing providers to cover more parts of the city.

    e-Scooter parking regulation

    A further key policy change is to ban the parking of e-scooters on sidewalks. Currently, sidewalk usage as a parking location is reducing pedestrianised space to the detriment of other city-goers. To combat this, the city will create special parking zones and rely upon micromobility providers to enforce suitable parking amongst their riders. Repeat violations of parking policy may result in the micromobility provider having its operating license revoked.

    Riding restrictions

    Finally, who can use the devices, and the way in which they can ride will be altered. Riding speed is set to be reduced from 25 km/h to 20km/h, while a minimum age limit of 12 years will be imposed. It is worth noting that this is significantly lower than the age limit seen in many other European countries (Germany = 14, UK = 17).