Sustainable mobility

Vorarlbergers should continue to cycle in the yellow jersey

Last Saturday, 1500 cyclists passed the counting point near Hard.

(Bild: Sonja Schlingensiepen)

The state of Vorarlberg is continuing to invest heavily in the expansion of cycle paths - this year's budget includes 13.5 million euros for this purpose. In addition, there are several million from the federal government.

Around 70 cycling projects in Vorarlberg are supervised every year by the responsible department of the state in cooperation with the municipalities. "Every project is a piece of the puzzle on the way to the mobility transition," Katharina Schwendinger, the state's cycling commissioner, is convinced. For Provincial Councillor Daniel Zadra, in addition to the environmental protection aspect, there is another obvious advantage - cycling is also a contribution to preventive healthcare.

Top figures compared to other federal states
Zadra is not satisfied with the top figures for cycling - Vorarlberg always has the most participants in nationwide cycling competitions such as the recent "WinterRadius" and also covers the most kilometers per capita in the state. "We have high goals. To keep the yellow jersey, you have to keep pedalling and have staying power," he emphasizes. As in the Tour de France, however, it is not just about an individual rider, but about the whole team, which is ultimately responsible for success.

It is no coincidence that so many people ride the bike. Over the years, there has been continuous investment in the expansion of cycle paths. The aim is for 21 percent of all traffic routes to be covered by bike by 2030.

Landeshauptmann Markus Wallner, ÖVP

Bild: mathis.studio

Governor Markus Wallner is responsible for the finances - and therefore also for the costs of expanding cycle paths - in the Vorarlberg government team. This year alone, 13.5 million have been earmarked in the budget for the expansion of cycle paths - an increase of 40 percent compared to the previous year, which is mainly due to the fact that several major projects are planned. In addition, 28 million euros in federal funds will flow into the expansion of cycling infrastructure. This means that the westernmost federal state receives the most funding in Vienna.

"We are the leading cycling state," Wallner proudly stated on Tuesday. The fact that the changeover has been so well received is pleasing, but no coincidence: "Over the years, we have continuously invested in the expansion of cycle paths. The aim is for 21 percent of traffic routes to be covered by bike by 2030." This figure was last recorded in 2018 - when the proportion was 16%.

To keep the yellow jersey, you have to keep pedaling and have staying power. As with the Tour de France, it's not just about one cyclist, but about the whole team.

Landesrat Daniel Zadra, Grüne

Bild: Mathis Fotografie

Focus on commuters
To get even more people interested in cycling, Wallner and Zadra are focusing on expanding cycle paths around business parks and on initiatives such as the "job bike". Companies provide employees with a bike for business and private trips and also benefit from tax advantages and financial subsidies. "The offer also applies to employees of the state. We have almost 5,000 employees in the hospital sector alone - so the potential is huge," explained Wallner. Incidentally, Vorarlberg is the only federal state in which the "job bike" is also available to state employees.

In addition to the major "Am Kumma state cycle route" project, a number of other projects are also on the agenda this year: in order to improve cyclist safety, separate crossings for bikers are being built in Hörbranz and Klaus, for example. "This will eliminate two accident blackspots," explains Katharina Schwendinger. A new cycle path at Wolfurt goods station should also help to prevent accidents. Higher speeds due to e-bikes and the increased number of users also require some of the paths to be widened. For example, the connection in the Bregenz lakeside facilities is to become more "bike-friendly".