Salzburg plans separated cycle path after Gnigl protest

Salzburg plans to build a separated pedestrian and cycle path near the Schwabenwirtsbrücke, a bridge in the Gnigl district, within two to three years, ORF Salzburg reported. The city plans to improve the existing cycle route’s markings next spring.

Members of the Gnigl + Langwied traffic initiative held a demonstration on Friday, spraying a cycle symbol at the danger spot to highlight the route’s poor condition. They called for the cycle-lane markings on both sides of the bridge to be renewed and made more visible without delay.

The future path will run beside the S-Bahn bridge, slightly raised and physically separated from traffic, and lead directly onto the bridge, Deputy Mayor Kay-Michael Dankl said.

The project will be made possible by the construction of 40 ÖBB staff apartments, which will free up 220 square metres of land. Work on the residential development is due to begin in the coming days. The land transfer will not create immediate costs for the city, according to a city report.

The initiative said it had demonstrated for safer, more visible cycle routes at the same location five months ago. Friday’s action was intended to draw attention to what it considers inadequate road safety before the darker season. Activists also left decorated bicycles as a symbol of hope that their demands would be acted on.