This is one of several bike rental stands around Vienna. Like many parts of Europe, it's a citywide effort to encourage cycling in the city and best of all you need not look far to find a bicycle path. There are cycle lanes everywhere and the sidewalks are pretty wide enough to support both the pedestrian walkway and bike path.
With a ticket you can ride one of these bikes for free for an hour and €1 per hour thereafter. I was told that you can even return a bike within an hour after a break of more than 15 mins and then hop on another bike back for free hour bonus. Sounds tempting, right?
As much as I loved cycling around my neighbourhood, I have not plucked up the courage to cycle in a foreign land. The cycle lanes are pretty hectic here at times and you need to constantly look around and be careful of those rough riders. In my hometown, I was used to really quiet cycling and it was a lot more relaxing to bike around with nobody in your way. For an experienced cyclist, this would be a great way to see Vienna.
Have you experienced cycling in a foreign city?
Our World
Lovely bikes aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI love the perspective in the last photo! Looks like it could be fun to rent one.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea.I have never found these Citybike in Japan.
ReplyDeleteIn addition I want to ride citybike in many countries.:)
Looks like a good way to explore the town. Environmental friendly too. Wishing you happy Merdeka and Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate cities that encourage the citizens to use green form of transportation by providing easy access to bikes and bike trails. Kudos to them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. Love to go around the city on them.
ReplyDeleteWe've just set up the same idea here in Melbourne mainly because the congestion on our roads is out of control. Are bike helmets compulsory like down here in OZ? :-).
ReplyDeleteWhat a community minded way to aid the overload on the transport system as well as keeping the population fit . . . at least those that brave the cycle traffic! I used to cycle for pleasure in Adelaide years ago but would not do so now, much too dangerous for an old lady.
ReplyDeleteI cycled through Tianjin on each of my trips to China. It was a great way to get around. Some cities here in the U.S. now have bike rentals available as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program to have bike rentals. There are a lot of bike routes where I live and a lot of people do use bikes for transportation but we don't have a cool program of easy rentals like this.
ReplyDeleteA terrific program it is! And such a great way to see the scenery of an area! Love the shots of the bikes! Great post for the day and I'm so happy to see you are joining us on "Our World"! Hope you have a wonderful week! Look forward to seeing more photos next week!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
City bikes that you can rent are a great idea! We have these here in Stockholm too... but I don't dare cycle in the middle of the city because there are not always bike lanes.
ReplyDeleteCycling is a great way to see places than from the bus and gets in fit shape as well. Use to jog when in overseas so that can see a better view of the surrounding area nearby the hotel.
ReplyDeleteWindsmoke,
ReplyDeletewhen i was in Vienna, almost no-one wears a helmet. i guess there is no federal law in Austria requiring bike helmets. Back in my hometown, i'd not dream of wearing a helmet. however, it's good to wear one to give you some sense of protection especially when you're riding in bz streets.
wonderful initiative indeed and lovely pics!
ReplyDeleteIn Brussels we have them too, they are black and yellow. It has quiet a success !
ReplyDeleteI have a trike, which I haven't ridden in over a year, too much illness. Now I don't think I would be able to manage the hills around here any more, not as fit as I should be.
ReplyDeleteA new supermarket has opened in our town and has brought in a couple of bike rickshaws to take passengers to their store. Edinburgh has them too. I don't know how many towns/cities here have rent-a-bike schemes.
No, I dadn't. I haven't rode a bike since...too long.
ReplyDeleteThis should be a new addition to Vienna's charm. I have not seen them 2 years ago.
I love bicycles. Nice to see their bikes. They are very organized. :)
ReplyDeleteOk here comes my confession... can't ride a bike... :(:(:(
ReplyDeleteSo no, never tried cycling in a foreign country ha ha.. can you imagine if we have bike lanes here? So not our style right? It's cars cars everywhere! ;)
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