Salzburg is testing new road markings to improve safety for cyclists. Salzburg Research is using a special research bicycle to study the effect of the new road markings on the distance between overtaking motor vehicles and cyclists. Until now, the average overtaking distance was only 85 centimeters, which is well below the legally required minimum of 1.5 meters.

The city of Salzburg is taking an innovative step to improve safety for cyclists: since mid-May, a traffic trial has been underway on Nußdorferstraße to test new road markings. The goal is to improve visibility and protection for cyclists with wider multi-purpose lanes and eye-catching bicycle pictograms, as well as scientific support from the Salzburg Research Institute.

New markings, clearer message

The urban mobility laboratory zukunftswege.at has implemented two different types of markings on behalf of the city and state of Salzburg:

• Between Bräuhausstraße and Moosstraße, two-meter-wide multipurpose lanes with bicycle pictograms have been installed. The center of the road remains reserved for general traffic, with a width of three meters.
• On the section from Moosstraße to Leopoldskronstraße, the effect of large-scale sharrows (pictograms with directional arrows) on safety is being tested. These were applied at regular intervals of around 25 meters.

The new markings are an inexpensive way to signal to all road users that cyclists need more space.

High-tech bicycle collects objective safety data

Salzburg Research uses a state-of-the-art research bicycle to evaluate the effectiveness of the markings. Equipped with LiDAR sensors and other measuring instruments, the bicycle records every overtaking situation in three dimensions with centimeter precision, from the car’s approach to the return to the lane.

Even before the new markings were introduced, the section was tested using the research bike. The results showed that in half of all overtaking maneuvers, the distance was only 85 centimeters or less—significantly less than the legal minimum of 1.5 meters.

The sensor technology generates so-called point clouds, in which the vehicles can be precisely located and the distance to the bicycle can be accurately measured. This data is incorporated into the scientific evaluation of the measures and provides a reliable basis for decisions regarding traffic planning.

Next test phase starts in August

In August, the trial will be expanded to include red block markings added to the existing markings. After a familiarization period, the research bicycle will be used to test and analyze this variant. Additionally, citizens can share their subjective experiences and impressions in an online survey. These assessments will be included in the overall evaluation alongside the measurement data.

Science as a guide to better cycling infrastructure

The results of the traffic trial are expected in November 2025. The results will provide a scientifically sound basis for decision-making by the planning departments of the city of Salzburg on how narrow streets can be made more bicycle-friendly in the future. In this way, Salzburg is consistently pursuing its goal of promoting active mobility while at the same time increasing safety for all road users.

More information:

• Detailed project desciption of the “Reallabor Nußdorfstraße” traffic trial at zukunftswege.at
• Survey on zukunftswege.at: Survey on the project Reallabor Nußdorferstraße
• Press release: Mehr Sicherheit für Radfahrende: Neue Bodenmarkierungen werden mit Forschungsfahrrad überprüft