Green Party Wants to Radically Redesign Vienna's Ring: These Are the Plans
Red-Pink has announced plans to redesign the Vienna Ringstraße, with a focus on separating pedestrian and bicycle traffic. The Greens have now presented their own concept for this. It includes, among other things, converting side streets into bicycle paths.
Car-Free Ring as the Goal of the Vienna Greens
A reduction of lanes on the main roadway is not planned for the time being. However, a car-free ring remains a medium-term goal, as Green leader Judith Pühringer emphasized. She pointed out the often confusing situation on Vienna's grand boulevard, in her opinion. Bicycle and pedestrian paths are intertwined, leading to conflicts. There is also generally too little space, she noted. Every year, around two million people cycle there. "In addition, countless people walk."
Bicycle Path Instead of Side Road
Recently implemented capacity expansions for bicycle traffic are no longer sufficient, Pühringer complained. It is necessary to separate bicycle paths and pedestrian areas. To this end, the existing side roads should be opened to cyclists. A red coloring, as already seen on Argentinierstraße, should signal that a bicycle path runs there.
At the same time, the sections between the side and main roads, known as the Reitallee, should be repurposed. The area there should be available only to pedestrians and, according to the Greens' vision, become a continuous sidewalk interrupted only at traffic light intersections. Speaking of traffic lights: The Greens are calling for longer green phases for pedestrians.
Priority for Public Transport and More Greening
The tram should only stop at stops and no longer at intersections, stated the Green mobility spokesperson Kilian Stark. Furthermore, the number of trees should be increased by up to 20 percent and more benches should be installed. The Ring should be given back to the people, also demanded the deputy club chairwoman of the Greens in the first district, Melanie Salis-Samaden. Currently, many residents avoid the Ring. "It is a magnificent street that is not magnificent," she noted.
It was assured that delivery traffic would not be restricted if implemented. Access options should continue to be available. However, the concept presented today is only a "first step," as it was said. Because in the medium term, there is still a call for a general reduction of lanes or a car-free Ring. The Greens like to refer to the experiences during the 2008 European Football Championship, when the Ring was closed and turned into a fan zone. Such an idea could also be considered for the Song Contest next year, suggested Pühringer.
Ring Redesign as "Flagship Project"
The SPÖ pointed out that the redesign of the Ring is enshrined as a "flagship project" in the red-pink government program. The chairman of the mobility committee in the Vienna City Council, Omar Al-Rawi (SPÖ), stated: "The goal is to clearly separate bike and pedestrian paths, optimally use the side roads, and significantly increase the quality of stay on the Ring." The responsible municipal departments are currently intensively examining how the vision for the Ring can be implemented step by step. "The redesign of the Ring is a challenging task that requires careful planning."
The ÖAMTC warned in a reaction about disadvantages for business operators. It is not well thought out to simply declare the side roads as bicycle streets, said Bernhard Wiesinger, the head of the ÖAMTC's interest group. Because there will always be delivery, taxi, and bus traffic there, for example, for hotels. He announced that the ÖAMTC will present its own concept for the redesign of the Ring later this year.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.