The city of Salzburg has published the results of its real-world laboratory on Nußdorferstraße: the tested road markings measurably increase the distance at which motor vehicles overtake cyclists. In particular, wide, multi-purpose lanes improve road safety.

More distance thanks to clear markings

In the second half of 2025, two types of road marking were trialled in the real-world laboratory on Nußdorferstraße to improve safety for cyclists. Test riders on the research bicycle by Salzburg Research have proven effective: drivers are keeping a greater distance when overtaking and many cyclists report feeling safer.

Two sections with different markings were examined:

• Wide multi-purpose lanes two meters wide and narrow central lanes three meters wide.
• Large bicycle pictograms with so-called sharrows.

The measurement trips took place in two phases: one in June and one in September and October 2025. Following feedback from the first phase, additional signs were installed to indicate the correct way to overtake.

356 overtaking maneuvers analyzed scientifically

A total of 356 overtaking maneuvers were recorded and evaluated. In the second phase, the median overtaking distance was as follows:

• 1.12 meters in the section with wide multi-purpose lanes and a narrow central roadway
• 1.05 meters in the section with large wheel pictograms and sharrows

This increased the distance in both variants. However, when overtaking at speeds of over 30 km/h, the legally prescribed minimum distance of 1.5 meters is still not achieved.

The analysis also shows that oncoming traffic affects overtaking behavior. On a positive note, some drivers can be seen to delay overtaking until it is safe to do so. Additionally, the introduction of the 30 km/h speed limit in the real-world laboratory contributes to improving road safety.

Wide multi-purpose strips particularly effective

These findings are also confirmed by feedback from the public. A total of 442 people took part in the consultation. Sixty percent of cyclists said they felt safer on wide multi-purpose lanes, while 53 percent said they felt safer with large bicycle pictograms and sharrows.

Scientific analysis shows that clear markings increase awareness and can contribute to greater overtaking distances. Based on this, the city of Salzburg plans to identify suitable locations within the urban area where these measures can be implemented in cases where structural solutions are not possible.

Both options are sensible, but the wide multi-purpose lanes are more effective. It is therefore recommended that these lanes be implemented throughout Nußdorferstraße in the future and that other suitable locations in the city be examined.

The real-world laboratory was set up by zukunftswege.at the mobility laboratory in collaboration with Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft and Con. Sens Mobilitätsdesign, acting on behalf of the City and State of Salzburg.

More information:

• Press release from the City of Salzburg on the results: stadt-salzburg.at
• Information about the real-world laboratory zukunftswege.at: zukunftswege.at/teststrecke
• Report on the application of the new markings: Reallabor für sicheres Radfahren in Salzburg: neue Markierungen
• Report on test rides with the research bicycle: Forschungsfahrrad überprüft Wirkung von neuen Bodenmarkierungen