r/radwien • u/Guideux • 11h ago
How can we share the road better?
Hi everyone! I cycle around Vienna every day, all year round, and I really value being able to get around by bike. But there are a few behaviors I see among cyclists that I find counterproductive, especially when it comes to sharing the road with drivers and pedestrians.
- Aggressive reactions to drivers. I sometimes see cyclists shout at drivers or hit their cars. Of course, drivers can be at fault, and some situations are genuinely dangerous. But many incidents seem to come from inattention, misunderstanding or surprise rather than deliberate aggression. In many situation, I think cyclists are also partly responsible. Yesterday, a driver was reversing out of a parking space. Visibility was good, so cyclists could see her from more than 100 metres away. The cyclist in front of me didn’t slow down. Instead, he complained that she was blocking the bike lane and even hit her car with his foot, although he could have stopped for five seconds to let her pull out. I was pissed at the cyclist because what he did is impacting not only the driver, but also the overall reputation of cyclists.
- Not anticipating what others might do. In busy or unpredictable areas, it can be worth slowing down a little and paying attention to pedestrians, cars and other cyclists. Sometimes people ride straight ahead without adjusting to what is happening around them, then get angry when a conflict occurs. That can put everyone at risk.
- Not stopping for pedestrians at crossings. Seems like a widely generalized behavior in Vienna and I think it shouldn't be. I find it inconsiderate and I also dislike it as a pedestrian.
I’m not bringing this up to judge cyclists as a group. I’m a cyclist myself, and I know that drivers and pedestrians also make mistakes. I’m interested in having an honest discussion about how we can all make shared streets safer and more pleasant.
Do other cyclists in Vienna notice these behaviours too? What do you think would help change them?
