Criticism of the Radhighway: Renew Floridsdorf's bike paths!

Criticism of the Radhighway: Renew Floridsdorf's bike paths!

Floridsdorf, Österreich - What about the wheel infrastructure in Floridsdorf? While the 800 meter long "Radhighway" was opened along Floridsdorfer Hauptstraße last year, his security for cyclists is criticized. Critics, including the green club chairman, note that the bike path flows dangerously into the mixing traffic of Brünner Straße, which is anything but optimal. This inadequate cycle path offensive in Floridsdorf is described as inadequate by many residents, especially when you consider that the wheel system on Prague Straße only ends abruptly in a heavily used through. This dissolves questions about the practical use of the cycle paths and whether they are really intended to promote cycling.

Another example is the situation in Scheydgasse, where the bike path leads through an industrial area and is decoupled from the Streibersdorf town center. This raises the question of how well thought out these connections and whether the district actually takes the needs of cyclists seriously. The district chief recognized this and sees urgent need for action, especially with the cross -connections in the 21st district. A connection between Prague and Brünner Straße via Hermann-Bahr-Straße could be a solution, for example, but the political will is missing.

political solutions and suggestions

In times when the importance of bicycle traffic is increasingly coming to the fore, the demand is to be extended according to the U6 subway line from Floridsdorf to Stammersdorf. However, this idea is not too realistic, since new living space in Stammersdorf would have to be created. The district chief sums up: it takes more courage to change, especially in the traffic area.

In this context, it makes sense to take a look across borders to Germany. There, a study by the Fraunhofer Institute (ISI) showed that the cycling share could be three times as high by 2035 as it is up to date if the infrastructure is improved accordingly. According to the study, this could have positive effects for the climate and quality of life. A doubling of bicycle traffic up to 19 million tons of greenhouse gases could save (see also the insights of Tagesschau ).

The potential of cycling

To support the ambitions, the wheel infrastructure must be continuously expanded. Germany plans to create around 860 kilometers of new bike paths by 2030, with the aim of becoming an attractive bicycle country. Dr. Claus Doll from Fraunhofer ISI points out that tempting models for cycling have so far been underestimated and that soft factors in the choice of means of transport have not been sufficiently taken into account. A model that sees subjectively perceived security and infrastructure quality as the driver of use could help here. The quality of the cycle paths can also only be speculated in Vienna.

It is clear: the way to a better bicycle traffic network in Floridsdorf and beyond is ahead of us. This requires not only a vision, but also concrete political measures. If measures are taken to offer cyclists more security and better conditions, the situation could change quickly. It remains to be seen whether the district actually initiates the necessary steps and thus improves both the climate and the quality of life in the region.