Cycling in Lower Austria –
The Campaign „Radland Niederösterreich“
Mag. Gerald FRANZ
"die umweltberatung"
Contents
 Overview of Lower Austria
 Traffic and cycling in LA
 Aims of the campaign RADLand
 Target groups and partners
 Review 2007 – 2011
 Pros and cons
 Planned measures
 1 special project
 Resume
Overview of Lower Austria
 Largest of 9 Austrian
States
 5 Main regions encircling
Vienna
 21 Districts
 573 Municipalities
 1,6 Mio. Inhabitants
 19.178 km2
 Many commuters
 Traffic contributes more
than 25% of CO2
emissions
Traffic in Lower Austria 1
• Modal Split 2008
Preferred Mode of Transport in
Lower Austria (Working Day)
Walking
Cycling
Car as a Driver
Car as a Passenger
Public Transport
 2/3 go by car daily!
 95% of all households hold a car!
Traffic in Lower Austria 2
• Travelling Distances 2008
Travel Distances of Lower Austrians on a working day
 Almost half of all travels are shorter than 5 km!
Everyday cycling in Lower Austria
 Communities
responsible for
cycling policies
 7% use bycicle for
daily travels
 Cycling more
popular in leisure
than in everyday life
 Average km cycled
in a year: 184
Aims of the Campaign RADLand
 Politically initiated
 Coordinated with the
climate program
 Ongoing since 2007
 Target is to increase
cycling in everyday
life significantly by a
bundel of measures
Target groups
 Lower Austrian Municipalities
- Consulting, training, campaigns, financial
support!!
 Schools and Educational institutions
- Awareness raising, games and actions
 Lower Austrian People
- Awareness raising, information
Partners involved
 Government of Lower Austria
 Büro Praschl – Advertising agency
 Klimabündnis – Environmental NGO
 Dorf-und Stadterneuerung – Association for
village an town renewal
 Regional management
 "die umweltberatung" - Environmental
consulting and training
 NEW: Lower Austrian Tourism Agency
 Intended: Bicycle shops, businesses
Review RADLand 2007 – 2011 / 1
• Overview of measures (Municipalities):
 Cycling events (Radlrekordtag – Cycling
Record Day)
 Cycling conferences (RADLGipfel)
 Galas for Mayors
 Free information and consulting
municipalities (checklists)
 Support of key projects and awareness
raising measures in municipalities
 Training programs for cycling
representatives in villages
Review RADLand 2007 – 2011 / 2
• Overview of Measures (Schools):
 Cycling courses in cooperation with AUVA
(association for accident prevention)
 Bicycle repair courses ("die
umweltberatung„)
 Game and competitions „Kilometerradeln“
(collecting kilometers cycled )
(Klimabündnis NÖ)
 Give aways
 Bicycle backback
Review RADLand 2007 – 2011 / 3
• Overview of Measures (Population):
 Bike hotline, exhibition stands
 Give aways
 Bicycle parties and festivals
 Broschures and information
 Games and contests
 Special bicycle edition sponsored by Local
Government
 Bicylces to hire (Leihradl next bike)
 Bike wardrobe
Fotos
Review RADLand 2007 – 2011 / 4
• Overview of Measures (Communication):
 Webpage
 Media articles and radio spots
 Broschures
 Poster campaign
 Tip on cards
 Competitions (bikes to win)
 Roll-Ups, banners, beach flags
Pros and Cons
• Results
 Networking and
cooperation
 Cycling as a
positive subject
 Risen interest by
target groups
 Share of cycling is
stable
• Challenges
 Low community
Budgets
 Low communication
Budget – little
publicity
 Deficits in cycling
infrastructure
 Weak cooperation
with businesses
Planned Measures
 Continuation of the campaign
 Closer cooperation with tourism
 Focus 1: Traffic safety
 Focus 2: By bike to work (National campaign)
 Target: Double Cycling in Lower Austria – 14%
(within 10 years)
 Strategy: Intense consulting and monitoring for
Regions / Communities
1 Special Project (Adult Education)
 Survey: Cycling in Vorarlberg and Lower
Austria
 Mayors and the members of municipal councils
from LA visit good-practise villages
 Representatives from villages in Voralrberg go
to LA (observing cycling infrastrucutre, advice)
 Encounter at the same level and talking about
problems and possible solutions
 Agreeable setting – „Learning by cycling“
 New contacts, fun factor, …
What is the difference to Vorarlberg?
 Civic participation
 Overall strategies for cycling
 Clear responsibilities in cycling matters and a
sperate budget for cycling
 Cycling as an important aspect in transport
planning
 Bicycle raks
 Extensive awareness raising
 15 years of cycling policies
Resume
 Evaluation of the campaign necessary
 Changes in behavior need time
 Awareness raising and infrstructure are both
important
 New forms of cycling (E-Bikes) – new cyclists
 High potential for cycling in Lower Austria
 Advantages are evident – health and fitness,
independance, cost reduction, climate
protection,…
Any Questions?
Contact:
Mag. Gerald Franz
"die umweltberatung"
+43 676 83 688 701
gerald.franz@umweltberatung.at
www.umweltberatung.at