Austria’s cycling and walking summits join forces in Eisenstadt

Austria’s cycling and walking summits are being held jointly for the first time, with about 500 experts from politics, public administration, science and business discussing climate-friendly mobility and ways to make it possible for people to give up their cars, ORF reported.

The three-day conference at the Eisenstadt Cultural Centre began on Wednesday and focuses on cycling and walking. Although people on foot have different needs from cyclists, the two topics are being addressed together for the first time.

“There are, of course, conflicts again and again, and the aim is to ensure that both work well,” said Bernhard Kalteis, Austria’s federal walking coordinator. Both cycling and walking should receive the space they need so people can travel actively and remain mobile, he said.

The conference is also presenting new developments and trends, building networks and recognising successful projects, including a new cycle path in Grafenschachen.

Cooperation between municipalities, the state and the federal government is essential for good infrastructure, said Transport Minister Peter Hanke of the Social Democratic Party. The projects discussed at the conference would help improve the design of municipalities and provide safer cycle paths, he said. They would also require funding, making joint action necessary.

State Transport Councillor Heinrich Dorner of the Social Democratic Party said municipalities and regions needed to assess their situation, involve experts and decide which measures could be implemented in the short, medium and long term, and at what cost.

Eisenstadt Mayor Thomas Steiner of the Austrian People’s Party said municipalities had a duty to create conditions that allowed people to use alternative forms of transport. This included building cycle paths and designing public spaces for walking, as well as providing shade and maintaining an attractive townscape.

Thursday’s conference ended with a cycling and walking parade from the Cultural Centre through Eisenstadt’s pedestrian zone. The specialist event continues until Friday.