Safe cycling (cyclists live dangerously)

Many cyclists feel endangered on the road. To feel safer, some cyclists even ride on the sidewalk, although cycling has an overall positive effect on health. However, one of the main obstacles to cycling is safety concerns. However, by improving road safety for cyclists, not only can direct health benefits be expected in the form of fewer injuries and deaths, but also indirect health benefits from more people cycling and getting more exercise.

Feel safe on the street

A common way to improve road safety for cyclists is to create cycle lanes and cycle lanes. A widespread measure to improve road safety for cyclists is “shared lane marking”. Oliver Gajda from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency invented the term bicycle Sharrow. It is a combination of the words "share" and "arrow" and stands for "shared lane marking". The main purpose of the bicycle pictogram is to show cyclists a zone far enough away from the right edge of the road to protect cyclists from suddenly opening car doors.

The Sharrows were originally intended to improve cyclist safety by drawing motorists' attention to cyclists. As a result, the Sharrows should also help reduce the number of cyclists riding on the sidewalk or against the direction of travel. Sharrows have become a popular replacement for more expensive and elaborate alternatives such as bike lanes and bike lanes.

Where cars and bicycles share the road

"Sharrows" from "share-the-road / arrows", denotes markings that combine the bicycle logo with an arrow. They are used where motor vehicles and bicycles have to share the lane because the cyclists do not have exclusive street space. These floor markings with bicycle pictograms are intended to draw attention to the presence of cyclists. Above all, they are intended to inform cyclists of the required side distances to parked cars.

A current from Mr o.Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Herman Knoflacher carried out on behalf of MA 46 of the City of Vienna Study on the effect of floor markings with bicycle pictograms on the road yielded positive results.

Prof. Knolacher concludes that the level of attention paid by cyclists and motorists was changed by the road markings with bicycle pictograms to the same extent as by the bicycle Sharrows.

Bicycle pictograms with directional arrows increase the subjective feeling of safety in road traffic

Bicycle pictograms and directional arrows improved the interaction of bicycle traffic and motorized traffic in Vienna.

The lateral safety distance of the cars when overtaking increased significantly. The number of overtaking maneuvers decreased by a third. The greater safety distance when overtaking makes cyclists feel safer. However, that could be a false sense of security, as Ferenchak and Marshall am 95th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Board 2016 reported and in 2019 also in one Article published, because areas that had only bicycle shreds had a significantly smaller decrease in injuries per year and 100 bike commuters (6,7 fewer injuries) than areas with bike lanes (27,5) or those areas that had no bike lanes Nor were Sharrows (13,5:XNUMX).

The belief that wearing a bicycle helmet improves road safety could be just as misleading. That Wearing a bicycle helmet may increase risk appetite. The positive effect of protection could thus be negated by the subconsciously increased willingness to take risks.

The 33rd amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) came into force on October 1, 2022. The most important rules for cyclists are summarized below.

Rules for cyclists on the road in Austria

The handlebar of a bicycle (cyclist) must be at least twelve years old; anyone who pushes a bicycle is not considered a cyclist. Children under the age of twelve may only steer a bicycle under the supervision of a person who has reached the age of 16 or with an official permit. Cyclists carrying people on their bikes must be 16 or older.

Turn right on red

If there is a so-called green arrow sign, cyclists are allowed to turn right at red traffic lights. At so-called "T-junctions" it is also possible to continue straight on if there is a green arrow sign. The prerequisite for both is that cyclists stop in front of it and ensure that turning or continuing on is possible without danger, especially for pedestrians.

Minimum lateral overtaking distance when overtaking

When overtaking cyclists, cars must keep a distance of at least 1,5 meters in built-up areas and at least 2 meters outside of built-up areas. If the overtaking motor vehicle is driving at a maximum speed of 30 km/h, the distance to the side can be reduced accordingly to ensure road safety.

Safe riding next to children on bikes

If a child under the age of 12 is accompanied by a person who is at least 16 years old, it is permitted to ride alongside the child, except on rail roads.

cycling facilities

A cycling facility is a cycle lane, a multi-purpose lane, a cycle path, footpath and cycle path or a cyclist crossing. A cyclist crossing is a part of the road marked on both sides by evenly spaced horizontal markings intended for cyclists to cross the road. Cycling facilities may be used in both directions, unless the floor markings (direction arrows) state otherwise. A cycle lane, except in one-way streets, may only be used in the direction of travel corresponding to the adjacent lane. The use of cycling facilities with vehicles that are not bicycles is prohibited. However, the authorities can allow agricultural vehicles and, but only outside the built-up area, vehicles of class L1e, light two-wheeled motor vehicles, to be driven on cycling facilities with an electric drive. Drivers of public safety service vehicles may use bicycle facilities if this is essential for the proper performance of the service.

If traffic is impaired by an object on the road, in particular by a stationary vehicle, rubble, building material, household effects and the like, the authority must arrange for the object to be removed without further proceedings if cyclists are about to use a cycle lane or a cycle path or a footpath and cycle path are prevented.

bicycle streets

The authority can declare streets or street sections to be cycle streets by ordinance. Drivers of vehicles are not allowed to drive faster than 30 km/h in bicycle lanes. Cyclists must not be endangered or hindered.

one-way streets

One-way streets, which are also residential streets within the meaning of Section 76b of the StVO, may be used by cyclists.

secondary lanes

Cyclists are also allowed to drive in secondary lanes if there are no cycle lanes, cycle paths or footpaths and cycle paths.

priority

The zipper system also applies to cyclists on a cycle lane that ends, or within the local area on a cycle path that leads parallel to it, if the cyclists keep the direction of travel after leaving it. Cyclists leaving a cycle path or footpath and cycle path that is not continued by a cyclist crossing must give way to other vehicles in the flowing traffic.

Stopping and parking is prohibited on cycle lanes, cycle paths and cycle paths and footpaths.

bicycle traffic

On roads with a cycle lane, single-lane bicycles without a trailer may use the cycle lane if it is permitted to use the cycle lane in the direction the cyclist intends to travel.

Bikes with trailers

The cycling facility may be used with bicycles with a trailer that is no wider than 100 cm, with multi-track bicycles that are no wider than 100 cm, and for training rides with racing bicycles.

The lane intended for other traffic is to be used for bicycles with another trailer or with other multi-lane bicycles.
Longitudinal cycling is prohibited on pavements and sidewalks.
Cyclists must behave on footpaths and cycle paths in such a way that pedestrians are not endangered.

drive side by side

Cyclists may ride alongside another cyclist on bike lanes, bike streets, residential streets, and meeting zones, and may ride side-by-side on racing bike training rides. On all other cycling facilities and on lanes where a maximum speed of 30 km/h and bicycle traffic are permitted, with the exception of rail roads, priority streets and one-way streets against the direction of travel, a single-track bicycle may be ridden next to another cyclist, provided that no one is endangered , the volume of traffic permits and other road users are not prevented from overtaking.

When riding next to another cyclist, only the far right lane may be used and regular traffic vehicles may not be impeded.

Cycling in groups

Cyclists in groups of ten or more should be allowed to cross an intersection as a group through other vehicle traffic. When entering the intersection, the priority rules applicable to cyclists must be observed; the cyclist in front must use hand signals to signal the end of the group to the other drivers in the crossing area and, if necessary, get off the bicycle. The first and last cyclists in the group must wear a reflective safety vest.

prohibitions

It is forbidden to ride a bicycle hands-free or to remove your feet from the pedals while riding, to hitch a bicycle to another vehicle in order to be towed and to use bicycles in an improper manner, e.g carousel rides and racing. It is also forbidden to take other vehicles or small vehicles with you while cycling and to make phone calls while cycling without using a hands-free device. Cyclists who make phone calls while cycling without using a hands-free device commit an administrative offence, which is to be punished with a penal order pursuant to § 50 VStG with a fine of 50 euros. If payment of the fine is refused, the authorities must impose a fine of up to 72 euros, or imprisonment of up to 24 hours if the fine cannot be collected.

cyclist crossings

Cyclists may only approach cyclist crossings, where traffic is not regulated by arm or light signals, at a maximum speed of 10 km/h and not ride directly in front of an approaching vehicle and surprising its driver, unless in the immediate vicinity No motor vehicles are currently driving nearby.

Anyone who, as the driver of a vehicle, endangers cyclists who use cyclist crossings in accordance with the regulations, or cyclists who use cyclist crossings, commits an administrative offense and is liable to a fine of between EUR 72 and EUR 2, or imprisonment of between 180 hours and six weeks if they are uncollectible use properly, disabled.

Parking of bicycles

Bicycles are to be set up in such a way that they cannot fall over or impede traffic. If a sidewalk is more than 2,5 m wide, bicycles may also be parked on the sidewalk; this does not apply in the area of public transport stops, unless bicycle racks are set up there. Bicycles are to be set up on a sidewalk in a space-saving manner so that pedestrians are not obstructed and property is not damaged.

Carrying objects on the bike

Objects that prevent the direction change from being displayed or that impair the clear view or freedom of movement of the cyclist or that can endanger people or damage things, such as unprotected saws or scythes, open umbrellas and the like, may not be carried on the bike.

Children

Children under the age of 12 must use a crash helmet in the intended manner when riding a bicycle, when being transported in a bicycle trailer and when being carried on a bicycle.
Anyone supervising a child riding a bicycle, carrying it on a bicycle or transporting it in a bicycle trailer must ensure that the child uses the crash helmet in the intended manner.

Helmet or no helmet