At its government meeting on Wednesday, the federal government initiated the comprehensive 33rd amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVO). In the future, bicycles should be able to turn right through a red light or cycle side by side. A ‘ban on ramped parking’ for cars only comes in a watered-down form. However, there will be no general cycling against one-way traffic. The change also improves pedestrian safety.
The new version approved by the Council of Ministers aims to make cycling and walking safer and more attractive. More pedestrian-friendly traffic lights and new rules at public transport stops are other innovations.
Turn right on red for cyclists
A new feature of the change is that cyclists may turn right at a red light or go straight ahead at T-junctions, provided that a corresponding additional sign is placed. You should in any case stop for a while before continuing your journey.
“Inclined parking ban” only in a watered-down form
The “slope parking ban” still envisaged in the design comes in a watered-down form. In the future, it should remain possible that the vehicle protrudes slightly onto the pavement, depending on the total width of the road surface concerned. A side mirror or the bumper is considered small.
Driving side by side is possible
In the future, under certain conditions, cyclists will also be able to ride side by side in mixed traffic: next to a child under the age of twelve is always allowed, with the exception of the track.
All cyclists are now allowed in 30 km/h zones, provided it is not a priority road or railway and the flow is not hindered. According to the StVO, cyclists were previously only allowed to ride side by side on bicycle paths, bicycle streets, residential streets and in meeting zones.
Minimum distance when overtaking
The change also sets a “minimum distance when overtaking a cyclist”: Outside built-up areas a minimum distance of two meters is required, while 1.5 meters within built-up areas is sufficient. If you drive less than 30 km/h, the transverse distance can be reduced.
Pedestrian safety is increased
Pedestrian safety will also be increased with the change: in the bus stop area, vehicles to the right of this means of public transport must always stop when getting in and out.
There will also be pedestrian-friendly traffic lights with faster and longer green phases and a ban on obstacles and hazards on sidewalks.
Two planned new arrangements will not come
However, a new regulation that was still provided for in the draft review, which would make it much easier to cycle on a one-way street with a bicycle against the one-way street, will not be implemented. The now expired regulation would have determined that the relevant authority should open and signpost the one-way lanes for bicycle traffic if they are at least four meters wide without parking spaces and a maximum speed of 30 applies. The plan to extend the stopping ban around intersections from five to eight meters (the eight-meter crossing rule) is also cancelled.
The city of Vienna has opposed both points, as Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) confirmed on Wednesday in the press foyer after the government meeting.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
