Europe - Cycling in Vienna.......

I am considering living in Vienna part of the year and wonder how good the cycling is in the city and surrounding countryside. I rode there in the early eighties and remember that it was very difficult because of traffic and cobblestones. Are there any bike trails and paths available. I also had difficulty finding a good bike shop. Has that changed?

Thank you so much,

Lawrence Price
Laramie, WY USA

Lawrence,

I just moved back to Austria since leaving in 2002. However, i just started cycling in 2009 and started racing in 2010. I've been here for about 2 weeks now and i find it fairly easy to get around here by bike. There are plenty of bike paths along the Danube river and island. A little less on public roads closer to the center of the city. Most of my riding so far has taken place in the NW region of the city around Klosterneuburg where there are some good hills that run through the forest. Cycling out here is pretty different than Phoenix Arizona and i'm enjoying every bit of it. I also noticed that when you do find yourself on the road, the drivers are more respectful to riders and seem less likely to harass you.

As far as bike shops go, i've looked at a few online but the only one i really went to was the place called Roadbiker (www.roadbiker.at). I stopped in there the other day cause my rear wheel came out of true after descending 40mph down a cobble stone road. Stopped in on my way home to have them check out my wheel. They charged me 10 euros for the fix, but although i only had 5 euros cash with me, they still fixed it and told me i could pay them the following day. And they also speak decent English there.


Paolo.

Paolo,

Thank you so much for responding to my question. I am very familiar with the area area around Klosterneuburg and am glad to hear of bike paths along the Danube. It has been many years since I really lived in Vienna and I mostly remember the cobble stone roads. I will be living in the first district very near the opera so I will be needing to find ways to get out onto the trails. Is it possible to take a bike on the Strassenbahn? I once lived in Grinzing but mostly have lived in the third district. Thanks for the information about the Roadbiker.

Lawrence

Getting to the path is really easy if you're going to live near the opera. The opera is right on the "ringstrasse" the road that circles the 1st district. There's a bike path that goes along that road which also leads to the canal. From there you can ride along the canal to the Donau. It's a popular route cyclist use as well. I know you can take your bike on the tram/subway/bus but only on certain times during non-peak hours. You'll have to check the transit site www.wienerlinien.at i know i read it on there somewhere.

Paolo,

It is great news that the Ringstrasse now has a bike path. I will be living just off the ring and so it will be very easy to get to the trails. Is there a map of the bike trails in and near Wien? Thank you for all of this information. It will make my transition so much more smooth.

Lawrence