A comprehensive amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) is intended to make cycling and walking safer and more attractive. “Some of the rules of the game date back to the 1960s,” said Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) at a press conference on Friday.
In the course of the new road traffic regulations, it will also be possible to use the one-way lanes more extensively when cycling if they are at least four meters wide without parking spaces and the maximum speed is 30 km/h. The respective authorities then have to open them to bicycle traffic and sign them, unless they justify that the safety is not given. Gewessler particularly emphasized the use of bicycles because “we can see that cycling will become an essential means of transport in our future.”
The changes are also intended to contribute to the turnaround in traffic, said the minister, because “40 percent of all car journeys are still shorter than five kilometers”, a distance that can easily be covered by bicycle. ÖVP traffic spokesman Andreas Ottenschläger recommended the electric bike for longer distances and pointed out the new “minimum distance when overtaking a cyclist” as part of the amendment. Out of town, for example on country roads, a minimum of two meters is then necessary, says Ottenschläger, referring to the suction effect, while 1.5 meters are sufficient in town – and one should take into account the requirements due to the infrastructure, with exceptions in narrow streets or 30 km/h zones are possible.
Pedestrian-friendly traffic lights
But, “regardless of whether by bike or on foot”, the amendment is intended to create more space for both active mobility options in order to be safe on the road, explained the minister – and that also applies to people in wheelchairs or with walkers and Stroller. “We’re all pedestrians, after all,” Gewessler stated and named “priority on the sidewalks” for them, the regulation at public transport stops – vehicles to the right of these must always stop while passengers get on and off -, and the more pedestrian-friendly traffic light changes, with faster and longer green phases.
A pedestrian-friendly traffic light is “urgently necessary”, the ÖVP traffic spokesman was also convinced and named the uniform solution for the school streets, which will be included in the StVO with its own traffic sign, as another important point. Likewise, large trucks will soon only be able to turn right at walking speed. Climate protection spokesman for the Greens, Lukas Hammer, described active mobility as the “greatest untapped treasure of transport policy. “Many people are simply afraid”, but the vision behind the amendment is that everyone has the opportunity to access these forms of movement – not just the brave .
Referring to the amendment to the Motor Vehicles Act (KFG) passed last Wednesday, Gewessler announced further measures as part of the third sub-package against speeders, where the possibility of vehicle confiscation will also be discussed. The assessment of the StVO amendment is scheduled for June 1st.
The changes in detail
1. Clearly defined minimum distance: When overtaking cyclists, motor vehicles must keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters in built-up areas and 2 meters outside of built-up areas. A regulation that has been in place in Germany since 2020, and in Portugal and Spain for several years.
2. Introduction of the Green Arrow: Municipalities and cities will in future have the option of always allowing cyclists to turn right at individual intersections by using the new “green arrow” traffic sign. Cyclists have priority over pedestrians crossing.
3. Contra-flow cycling: So far, the authority had to justify that it is permissible to open a one-way lane for bicycle traffic. In the future, one-way lanes with a width of at least four meters and a speed of 30 will be open to bicycle traffic, unless the authorities justify that this is not possible for safety reasons.
4. In the future it will be allowed to ride a bicycle next to a child (except on rail roads), which is a relief for parents. Adults are allowed to ride next to each other in 30 km/h zones. In each case, care must be taken to ensure that overtaking by motor vehicles is not impeded.
Source: Nachrichten
