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EU Urban Mobility Observatory
  • News article
  • 3 July 2020
  • 1 min read

Austria to invest up to €40 million in new bicycles infrastructure

Austria is investing up to €40 million in the expansion and improvement of and climate-friendly mobility management. The comprehensive funding package was announced by the Federal Minister for Climate Protection, Leonore Gewessler on the occasion of the International Day of Bicycles on June 3rd. The funding budget is almost ten times higher than in the previous year and signals a clear commitment to cycling as a means to secure a climate-friendly and crisis-proof mobility future.

Minister Leonore Gewessler stated, “The construction of cycle paths now makes double sense: you can get safely and healthily from A to B by bicycle. And every euro invested in a cycle path flows into the local economy. With bicycle funding, we are creating 18,000 secure jobs in Austria.”

Co-financing

With the funding, the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (BMK) is supporting a wide range of measures to help create cycling-friendly conditions throughout Austria. The offer is aimed at countries, cities, municipalities, companies, and associations as well as tourist facilities. It will provide co-financing of eligible measures, such as the establishment of bike paths and bike storage facilities, bike rental systems, but also awareness-raising measures such as signposting and accompanying information campaigns.

A special incentive for companies is the financial support of so-called job bikes, which enable a healthy commute to work by bike. Depending on the mix of measures and the project quality, the funding rate is up to 30% of the eligible costs.

New priority for quick cycle connections

In order to create attractive offers for bike commuters in and around Austria's urban regions, a new funding priority for quick bike connections is being launched. The funding package is to boost the expansion of high-quality cycling infrastructure which enables safe and attractive driving over long distances. Due to the higher investment costs, the establishment of quick bike connections is supported by local authorities with a higher funding rate of up to 50% of the eligible costs.

More detailed information on funding and funding applications is available from: https://www.umweltfoerderung.at/ and https://www.klimaaktiv.at/mobilitaet.html.

Details

Publication date
3 July 2020
Topic
  • Walking and cycling
Country
  • Austria