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Biking in Vienna - Tips from a local

During the summer months in Vienna, nothing can feel more freeing and cool than hopping on a bike to get that breeze through your hair. Also, the bike lane network in Vienna is now outstanding and very safe. Plus you can easily rent bikes on the go to get around, often faster than public transportation (which is saying something given how efficient Vienna's transport system is).

So let me tell you more (and I promise I do not work for any of these companies - I am simply sharing a tip on how to get around).

First, the bikes. NextBike is a company associated with the city of Vienna, offering low cost bike rentals from stations around the city. Once you download the app, it is easy to find the stations and to identify if bikes are available to rent. I am lucky that I have a station near my office and near my house - I take a bike home this way from work every day. Once you arrive at the station, you use your app to scan the bike and the bike will unlock. The app is available in English, but you will need some sort of data plan for this app to work for you. Once the bike is unlocked, you can adjust the seat easily and some bikes even have child seats. You can even pause your ride (instructions are in the app and on the bike) if you want to pop in somewhere along the way. 30 minutes is .75 cents. Here is the website to get you started - https://www.nextbike.at/wienmobilrad/en/. Note that helmets are not included. I choose not to ride with a helmet typically. Also note that the bikes have lights, which are required if you are biking from sunset onwards.

Next, the routes. I use the Bike Citizens app to determine my bike route. The app gives you several options - easy, balanced and fast. I typically use the easy routes as these are almost exclusively on bike lanes. Google maps also has a tab for bike directions, if you prefer, but without the same options. I feel that Bike Citizens does a good job keeping up with all of the new bike lanes that are constantly added. I feel I should emphasize that I came into this having a bike riding fear, given that I had a bad bike accident when I was a teenager. I can assure you that biking in Vienna feels exceptionally safe - drivers respect bikers and the dedicated lanes often mean you are not directly in traffic on busier streets. https://map.bikecitizens.net/at-vienna#/!/1/1/-,-/-,-

Some of my favorite places to bike:

  1. The Donauinsel - This is an artificial island stretching for over 13 miles sitting in the middle of the Danube (Donau means Danube in German, insel means island). It is car free, full of trees, bike lanes and beaches for swimming. The U1 subway line has a stop right on the island. This is a side of Vienna that tourists rarely see. Very flat.

  2. The Ring - The entire Ring around the historic center is covered by dedicated bike lanes. I prefer side closer to the center as there are less traffic crossings. This is a great way to see the magnificent buildings of Ring. Very flat.

  3. Prater Hauptallee - This is the main "road" (but cars not allowed) through the Prater green park, a former Habsburg hunting area. A straight shot from the Praterstern train station to the Lusthaus is a flat enjoyable ride under verdant chestnut trees while viewing a relaxed slice of a Vienna.

  4. Zentralfriedhof - This is the main cemetery for Vienna and easily reached with Tram 71, which originates on the Ring. Believe me when I say that this cemetery is a must-see, as the graves of nearly every famous conductor as well as Austrians you might have heard of like Falco (Rock me Amadeus fame from the 80s, has a virtual shrine) and Heddy Lamarr (fascinating woman). I also really enjoy paying respects in the Jewish portion of the cemetery which is beautiful in a decrepit way. The church in the cemetery is an ode to the Secession movement with a beautiful interior. The cemetery gift shop is also great for a laugh.

(cont'd below)

Posted by
5813 posts
  1. The Donaukanal - Now are are on the Danube Canal, not the actual Danube, but still a lovely green area passing many sights, then converting into a cool bar/restaurant area. The stretch between Erdberg Steg and FriedensbrΓΌcke is best. There is a route on both sides of the canal - take your pick. Have a look at the nearby Hunderwasserhaus as you pass and then see more Hunderwasser when you go near the incinerator at Spittelau (just google it, you'll see what I mean).

  2. Argentinierstrasse or Praterstrasse - If you want to see how great bike lanes can be in the city, then check out these two streets.

Enjoy!

Posted by
3782 posts

Wow Emily, this is so great, thanks for sharing. I agree there is something freeing about being on a bike. Can these places be done by ebike and is it easy to rent one? We will be in Vienna next spring for 2 weeks.

Posted by
5813 posts

I’m sure you can do these routes with an e-bike. That said, I’m not sure where you can rent an e-bike in Vienna.

Google Wien e-bike verleih (means Vienna e-bike rental).

Posted by
2520 posts

30 minutes is .75 cents.

This should read € .75 instead.

... drivers respect bikers ...

Take this assumption with a grain of salt. Unfortunately a lot of bikers do not abide by the traffic rules (e.g. running red lights, using sidewalks, do not yield at crossings, do not stop at pedestrian walkways, biking without lights in the dark, etc.).

Posted by
43 posts

Emily, can you please explain "pausing" the ride on the Nextbike app? What does pausing accomplish, or why might it be necessary, if one is being charged for the entire time they have the bike? Thanks.

Posted by
2520 posts

Curious - why is the cemetery gift shop funny?

They sell funny merchandise, those bearing a text (with a play of words or puns) are in German, though.
https://shop.bestattungsmuseum.at/en/

E.g., during COVID they sold black face masks with the text: Thank you for securing our jobs by refusing vaccinations - Vienna Undertakers.
A similar text can be found on covers for cigarette boxes.
For children they have a LEGO set for building a crematory.
There are a kind of black jelly beans in the shape of a skull.

Beyond that, the funeral museum is worth visiting.

Posted by
5813 posts

Emily, can you please explain "pausing" the ride on the Nextbike app?
What does pausing accomplish, or why might it be necessary, if one is
being charged for the entire time they have the bike? Thanks.

NextBikes can only be returned at a NextBike station. While there are many, many stations around the city, I often find that I want to run into a shop or go and pick some blackberries for a little while. In those instances, I pause my ride (easy to do by following instructions on the app). The bike locks when you pause the ride, so no worries about theft. The rates are so absurdly low (.75 cents for 30 minutes) that paying the few cents extra is really not a big deal.

Posted by
5175 posts

My observation from recent visits to Paris, London and Vienna is that you better pay attention if you're a ped and you're near a bike lane. These folks all bike like they own the bike lane (which obviously they do) but they are so not looking out for people on foot, they just expect them to stay out of the way. And this is not a trait that tourists generally have. Especially at dusk when it's not easy to see or be seen, stay on your toes. I inadvertently ended up briefly in some bike paths and boy did I hear about it.

Same thing in Vienna with trams, they won't always ding if you're in danger so you are on your own.