Traffic volumes down in Vienna

The volume of traffic on Vienna roads is falling, according to new figures. The Austrian Traffic Club (VCO) said today (Thurs) traffic on the capital’s roads shrunk 930 million kilometres from 2004 to 7 billion kilometres in 2008 – meaning every car on the road in Vienna covered an average of 12,666 kilometres last year, a decrease of 1,100 kilometres compared to 2004.
The number of cars on the roads also fell by 24,000 to 552,000 over the past four years, the VCO said.
It added these figures confirm the ongoing development of a "multi-modern mobility" mixing walking, cycling, public transport and cars and covering short distances by bike or by foot, which more and more people will adopt.
Vienna council leaders recently extended a scrappage programme for old bicycles due to overwhelming demand. The scheme offers 70 Euros to people who leave their old, usable bicycle with car club Arbö who will pass it on to charity projects if they buy a new one at any Vienna-based sports shop, Austrian Times reported.

Source: Transportweekly