Wiener Verkehrensation: Duo transports oven to e-moped!

Wiener Verkehrensation: Duo transports oven to e-moped!

Johnstraße Ecke Hütteldorfer Straße, 1150 Wien, Österreich - A normal picture in Vienna's city traffic? Not quite! On Tuesday morning, motor driver Petra at the intersection Johnstraße Ecke Hütteldorfer Straße experienced a curious scene: two people chuged through the 15th district on an electric moped, while one of the passengers balanced with an oven on the lap. The young man, who kept the heavy kitchen appliance on his lap, had to make a lot of effort in order to handle the 30 to 40 kilogram piece handy and at the same time keep the balance. After all, there was no accident during this blatant promotion, as today reported.

Such bizarre transport methods raise exciting questions - not only with regard to security, but also the applicable traffic rules. The high number of e-mopeds that are increasingly taking our bike paths causes discussion. Mobility city councilor Ulli Sima has recognized the problem and demands clear national regulations to create a better distinction between bicycles and motorized vehicles such as e-mopeds. This concern refers in particular to the safety of cyclists in Vienna, since many of these e-mopeds are on the move without a license plate. According to bahnradwien.at) there are already plans to banish these vehicles from the bike paths.

claims for clear regulations

The increasing number of characteristic e-mopeds is not just a local phenomenon. The traffic volume of these heavy electric vehicles on bike paths has increased and leads to uncertainties among other road users. E-Mopeds weigh between 70 and 80 kg on average, which massively affects the cyclists' feeling of security, explains Sima. In addition, speed measurements show that 15% of the electric mopeds are faster than the top speed of 25 km/h is on the road, which further underpinning the security concerns. This is supported by [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20240429_ots0109/sima-mopeds-runter-vom-radweg-stadt-demand-Klare-on-federal level), which appeals to an urgent reform.

To improve the situation, the City of Vienna calls for a weight restriction for vehicles on bike paths of a maximum of 60 kg and a restriction of the type speed for e-small vehicles to 20 km/h. The city plans to stand up for these claims at the upcoming state transport officer in June. An example of how it can be better provides Germany with its effective regulations on traffic safety. Such differentiation could also ensure more security on the bike paths in Austria.