Fines and technical inspection for Salzburg bikes next week!
The Salzburg police are preparing to conduct intensive campaigns to inspect bicycles in the city of Salzburg next week, with a special focus on checking lighting and mandatory equipment. These inspections will take place at eight different locations in the evenings, from Monday to Thursday, between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
The police will stop anyone riding their bicycle without sufficient lighting or without the required lights, as technicians from ÖAMTC and the mobile Veloserv workshop will be on-site to repair any faults immediately if possible, according to the government of Salzburg state.
According to local regulations, bicycles and electric bikes must be equipped with a white or light yellow front light, and a red rear light that can be flashing or fixed on the bag. White reflectors must be installed at the front and red at the back, in addition to "cat eyes" on the pedals and wheels, or the use of tires surrounded by reflective light strips.
As for the testing locations: Monday, March 24: Hermann-Bahr-Promenade / Ignaz-Rieder-Kai, Franz-Josef-Kai / Salzachgässchen. Tuesday, March 25: Überfuhrsteg / Herrnau, Sinnhubstraße / Leopoldskronstraße. Wednesday, March 26: Kreisverkehr Guggenmoosstraße / Radweg Glanbrücke, Gehmacherstraße / Müllner Steg. Thursday, March 27: Franz-Josef-Kai / Salzachgässchen, Nonntaler Hauptstraße / Josef-Preis-Allee.
Experts advise all cyclists to check their equipment before heading into the spring season. It is important to ensure the bike is clean, check the drivetrain and brakes, verify the air pressure in the tires, and adjust the gears. It is also preferable to use specialized cleaning products and avoid harsh industrial materials. For electric bikes, in addition to the previous checks, it is essential to ensure the battery and motor are in good condition, preferably done at specialized workshops. To enhance safety, the VCÖ (Austrian Traffic Club) launched an electronic map that allows residents to report hazardous areas in the city. The goal is to improve the structure of bike paths based on user feedback. In a recent statistic, Austria recorded a decrease in the number of fatalities among cyclists to 32 people last year, three of whom were in Salzburg alone. The majority were elderly. Most fatal accidents did not occur on safely designated paths, reinforcing calls to expand the cycling infrastructure to ensure safety.