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Criticism of the cycle highway: Floridsdorf's cycle paths should be urgently renewed!
Floridsdorf is the focus of the traffic discussion: criticism of the new cycle highway, a lack of connections and the need for change.
Criticism of the cycle highway: Floridsdorf's cycle paths should be urgently renewed!
What is the status of the cycling infrastructure in Floridsdorf? While the 800 meter long "cycle highway" along Floridsdorf's main street was opened last year, its safety for cyclists has been criticized. Critics, including the green club chairman, note that the cycle path flows dangerously into the mixed traffic on Brünner Straße, which is anything but optimal. This inadequate cycle path offensive in Floridsdorf is described as inadequate by many residents, especially when one considers that the cycle path on Prager Straße only abruptly ends in a busy thoroughfare. This raises questions about the practical use of cycle paths and whether they are really intended to promote cycling.
Another example is the situation in Scheydgasse, where the cycle path leads through an industrial area and is disconnected from the Strebersdorf town center. This brings up the question of how well thought out these connections are and whether the district actually takes the needs of cyclists seriously. The district boss has recognized this and sees an urgent need for action, especially with the cross-connections in the 21st district. A connection between Prager and Brünner Strasse via Hermann-Bahr-Strasse, for example, could be a solution, but the political will is lacking.
Political solutions and suggestions
In times when the importance of cycling is becoming more and more important, there are also calls to extend the U6 subway line from Floridsdorf train station to Stammersdorf. However, this idea is not considered too realistic, as new living space would have to be created in Stammersdorf. The district boss puts it in a nutshell: More courage is needed to change, especially in the transport sector.
In this context, it makes sense to take a look across the borders to Germany. A study by the Fraunhofer Institute (ISI) has shown that the share of cycling traffic could be three times higher by 2035 than it is currently if the infrastructure is improved accordingly. According to the study, this could have positive effects on the climate and quality of life. Doubling cycling traffic could save up to 19 million tons of greenhouse gases (see also the insights from daily news ).
The potential of cycling
In order to support the ambitions, the cycling infrastructure must be continuously expanded. Germany, for example, plans to create around 860 kilometers of new cycle paths by 2030 with the aim of becoming an attractive cycling country. Dr. Claus Doll from Fraunhofer ISI points out that tempting models for cycling have always been underestimated and soft factors in the choice of mode of transport have not been sufficiently taken into account. A model that considers subjectively perceived security and infrastructure quality as drivers of usage could help here. One can only speculate about the quality of the cycle paths in Vienna.
It is clear: the path to a better cycling network in Floridsdorf and beyond lies ahead of us. This requires not only a vision, but also concrete political measures. If measures are taken to provide cyclists with greater safety and better conditions, the situation could change quickly. It remains to be seen whether the district will actually take the necessary steps and thereby improve both the climate and the quality of life in the region.