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26. 08. 09. - 14:00

Vienna expands old-bicycle bonus programme

By David Rogers

Vienna authorities have upped the number of bicycles in its scrappage programme – but have warned there will not be another.

Social Democratic (SPÖ) traffic councillor Rudolf Schicker announced the expansion of the scheme from 500 to 1,000 bikes today (Weds) but said the scrappage scheme would not be repeated in the future.

City officials have said the programme, which was launched two weeks ago, was an environmental measure that would result in lower emissions of greenhouse gases in the city and increase traffic safety as new bicycles had better security features.

Herbert Hübner, the head of car club Arbö in the city which is functioning as the depository for the old bicycles, said more than 300 people had received a bonus of 70 Euros for junking their old bike since the programme began and many more were on the waiting list.

A person with an old bike who wants to obtain the bonus must first sign up online with Arbö. They must then take their old bike to Arbö within seven days, along with a receipt for the purchase of a new bike costing at least 140 Euros that is no older than 14 days and a photo I.D. proving he is a resident of Vienna. All old bikes must conform to city regulations for their use.

The re-socialisation agency Neustart (New Start) is reconditioning the old bikes, which will be used in a number of social programmes, most of which will feature their distribution to people who cannot afford to buy a bike.

The Austria Traffic Club (VCÖ) recently said it feared the recession would result in fewer sales of new bicycles if nothing was done to stimulate demand and called for a national subsidy of 100 Euros for the purchase of new bicycles.

A recent VCÖ survey voted Vienna the third best city for cycling in Austria behind Graz and Salzburg.

Austrian Times

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