Riding a bike on the highway

Riding a bike on the highway

It sounds like an April Fool's joke, or a report in the satirical newspaper “Tagespresse”: Asfinag is exploring ways to open motorways and expressways to bicycle traffic. In fact, the local Autobahn and Expressway Financing AG wants to be perceived as a mobility partner and promote the greening of Austria's roads. It also wants to integrate and promote “active mobility” in the best possible way. Asfinag has now launched a challenge on the IÖB innovation platform on the topic of “Motorways and active mobility – cycle highway”. We are looking for technical and organizational measures that enable resource-saving and safe management of cycle paths on, next to, under or over motorways and expressways. Although the use of motorways and cycling are two forms of mobility that at first glance seem incompatible, Asfinag wants to make the best possible use of its existing infrastructure and, if necessary, expand it in order to link and combine motorways and cycle paths.

As part of the IÖB Challenge, innovative and feasible solutions are sought for the implementation of this vision. The “ideal” motorway cross-section should provide all functions of the ancillary systems such as restraint systems (guardrails, guard walls), noise protection measures, energy generation, embankment protection, ITS systems, accompanying routes, but especially in interurban areas, space for active mobility such as cycling. In order to be able to implement this ideal cross-section cost-effectively and in a space-saving manner in order to reduce soil sealing, innovative solutions such as prefabricated parts are required. Submissions will be accepted online until October 2, 2023. Then it's the jury's turn. At the end of the challenge, the most interesting entrants will be invited to a market dialogue with the challenge sponsors, where the offer can be discussed in more detail. Details about the challenge can be found here www.ioeb-innovationsplattform.at/challenges/detail/autobahn-und-aktive-mobilitaet-radhighway/