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Bike pathAustria

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Austria. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Austria

8. Bike path

A bike path is a part of a road or a separate route intended primarily or exclusively for people riding bicycles. It may be physically separated from motor traffic, marked on the road surface or identified by traffic signs.

Bike paths may be one-way, two-way or shared with other road users. The permitted users, direction of travel, priority rules and obligation to use the path depend on local traffic signs and regulations.

Bike path
Path for cyclists. (Austria)
Wikimedia.org • RandomDuck5000 • CC BY-SA
How does Austria distinguish a cycle path from a cycle lane?

A Radweg is a signed path intended for cycling. A Radfahrstreifen is a specially marked part of the carriageway. A combined walking and cycling route is a Geh- und Radweg. These facilities have different layouts and access rules.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 2, 8a, 52(16–17a), 53(27–28), 68

Must I use every Austrian cycle path?

Normally use the cycling facility provided for your direction when riding an ordinary bicycle without a trailer. Square optional-path signs remove that obligation. The Act also provides exceptions for specified bicycle dimensions, trailers and racing-bike training; check which applies to your bicycle.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 2, 8a, 52(16–17a), 53(27–28), 68

Mandatory path for cyclists. Mandatory path for cyclists.

English • Traffic sign StVO § 52 Z 16 • Cycle path. The sign indicates that riders of single-track bicycles must use only the cycle path.

Deutsch • StVO § 52 Z 16 • RADWEG. Dieses Zeichen zeigt an, dass Lenker von einspurigen Fahrrädern nur den Radweg benützen dürfen.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Ris.bka.gv.at • StVO § 52 Z 16

SVG source: 3247 • Public domain • Original revision 2006-08-27. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Does an Austrian cycle path always give cyclists a separate space from pedestrians?

No. A cycle-only path differs from a combined walking and cycling path. On the combined facility, cyclists must not endanger pedestrians. Where the sign divides the users into separate parts, follow that allocation instead of assuming the whole surface is for cycling.

🔗 ris.bka.gv.at • Austrian RIS, StVO — sections 2, 8a, 52(16–17a), 53(27–28), 68

1 Austria 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Tunnel 11 Cycling street 12 Pedestrian zone 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Give way to oncoming traffic 24 Railway crossing 25 Mandatory direction 26 Turn prohibition 27 School area 28 Overtaking 29 Crossing animals 30 Wrong-way driving 31 Roadworks 32 Height limit 33 Width limit 34 Weight limit 35 Priority at the next junction 36 Traffic lights 37 Pedestrian lights 38 Speed feedback 39 Driving licence 40 Location marker 41 Traffic mirror 42 Emergency telephone 43 International border 44 Cycling route 45 Parking 46 No parking 47 No stopping 48 Disabled parking 49 Reversing 50 Uncontrolled crossroad 51 Road surface 52 Provisional licence 53 Runaway truck ramp 54 City limit 55 Cyclist crossing 56 Horn 57 Licence plate 58 Charging station 59 Dangers 60 Cyclist 61 Bus 62 Police 63 Ambulance 64 Police signals 65 European emission standard 66 Pothole 67 Private property 68 Path 69 Particulates 70 Air pollution 71 Rush hour 72 Road code 73 Street gutter 74 Cargo bike 75 Forestry vehicle 76 Construction vehicle 77 Semi-trailer truck 78 Trolleybus 79 Speed pedelec 80 Delivery vehicle 81 Idling 82 Tow truck 83 Four-wheel drive 84 No vehicles 85 Bicycle 86 Motorcycle equipment 87 Tram 88 Rail track 89 Caravan 90 Trailer 91 Tow hitch 92 Fire truck 93 Siren 94 Convoy 95 Emergency vehicle lighting 96 Agricultural machinery 97 Electric bicycle 98 Electric vehicle 99 Pedelec 100 Quadricycle ...