The fact that the green city of Innsbruck is massively promoting cycling is nothing new. But now the green transport councilor Uschi Schwarzl has probably overstepped the mark.
At a roundabout in Saggen, she had several bike racks set up in the middle of a sidewalk. Pedestrians – although not very numerous inside a roundabout – were forced to step onto the roadway. Schilda says hello! After violent protests from citizens and the ÖVP – Schwarzl spoke of “several constructive discussions with citizens” – the brackets have to be removed again. “A victory of reason over green ideology,” rejoiced VP-GR Mariella Lutz, Chairwoman of the Transport Committee. Responsible with explanation Schwarzl explains: “It was an attempt to use not only parking spaces but also dead areas, such as this curb, for bicycle parking facilities,” Schwarzl said firmly. Basically, one could say that there is a need. “There are a lot of bicycles on the sidewalk in this part of the city, which hinder pedestrians.”
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