The new concept for the Vienna Ring, considered one of the central projects of Red-Pink, was jointly presented by Planning and Transport City Councillor Ulli Sima (SPÖ), NEOS club chairwoman Selma Arapovic, and the district chairman of the first district, Markus Figl (ÖVP). In the future, pedestrians and cyclists should come into conflict less frequently. Currently, the bike path on the Ring is closely connected to pedestrian zones. Problems repeatedly occur in unclear sections.

Redesign of Vienna Ring in Stages

This should be a thing of the past in the future, although not on both sides of the grand boulevard. The gradual redesign plans for each area to be designed on the inner or outer side - depending on the intensity of use. At Schottenring, this means focusing on the inner part. There, the side road will largely become a 4.50-meter-wide bike zone, which can be used in both directions. However, access areas for cars will be created, for example, at hotels or the Ringturm.

The color scheme is based on the original design of the street. There were once riding zones on the side areas of the Ring, as historian Harald Stühlinger from the Technical University of Vienna explained. The light brown tone, which is meant to remind of the gravel used at the time, will not be painted on but incorporated into the asphalt, as Sima explained. This is intended to increase durability.

Marking at Crossings on the Vienna Ring

The avenue between the main and side roads, as well as the sidewalks at the building fronts, will belong to pedestrians. To make crossing the bike path easier, there will be lens-shaped pavements that are meant to signal to cyclists that pedestrians are to be expected here. However, the installations will not be elevated, so they cannot be accidentally hit.

According to Sima, the completion of the first part is planned for mid-2027. The costs for this are expected to be in the "mid-range" single-digit million amount. After the work at Schottenring, four more phases will follow. The second will include Universitätsring and Schubert-, Stuben-, and Parkring. A redesign in the area of the quay on the Danube Canal is not planned for the time being. However, according to Sima, it is quite possible that such a redesign will take place in the next legislative period.

The planning office Gehl Architects from Copenhagen was involved in the development of the project, among others. Director Liselott Stefeldt expressed confidence today that the number of pedestrians and cyclists in the area will increase. At the same time, accidents are likely to decrease, she predicted.

In any case, the parking spaces will become fewer, as the side roads will be largely closed to cars. The lanes on the main road, however, will remain unchanged. According to Sima, relocating the bike path there would have disadvantages compared to the chosen concept. If a lane were to be repurposed, the tram tracks would have to be crossed to reach it, she pointed out. The lanes are also narrower than the side roads.

Mobility clubs generally satisfied with redesign of Vienna Ring

The Austrian Traffic Club (VCÖ) welcomed the modernization plans. The Ring bike path is one of the busiest cycling routes in Vienna, with approximately 1.77 million cyclists counted at the Opernring in 2024. Currently, however, the Ring bike path has "numerous problem areas," it was stated.

The ÖAMTC was pleased that pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be separated and that the vehicle lanes on the main road will be maintained. However, concerns were expressed regarding the use of the side roads. These are particularly important as access and exit routes for taxis and suppliers. The recently presented ÖAMTC proposals would have taken economic traffic more into account, they are convinced.

The Greens saw a "step in the right direction." However, they criticized in a statement that the opposite sides of the Ring will not be changed - and that the parking spaces there will remain as before.

(APA/Red)

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