Bike bus Bregenzerwald
Key trigger fact
Mountainous topography and a lack of railway lines make it difficult to reach by bicycle.
Key implementation fact
Establishment of a seasonal bus service with bicycle trailers for travel to and within the region.
Key evidence of success fact
Good visitor numbers and new economic benefits for the region. Closing gaps in cycling routes.
Key take away
Coordinated answers are required regarding service period, routes, bicycle handling, fares and booking.
Challenge addressed: Lack of accessibility and transport options by bike
The Bregenzerwald is a region in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg that is popular with tourists. Due to the mountainous topography and the lack of railway lines, accessibility by bike was difficult, especially from the densely populated and well-connected Rhine Valley. Municipalities and tourism associations therefore, wanted to create an offer for bicycle transport.
Solution implemented: Seasonal bike bus with trailer for 20 bicycles
The buses run from Thursday to Sunday in the summer months (beginning of June to the end of September). They connect railway stations and other points in the Rhine Valley and the 24 communities in the Bregenzerwald throughout the whole day. The bikes are transported on bus trailers that have space for 20 bikes (including e-bikes) and are loaded by the passengers and the drivers. The trailer was designed so that passengers can charge their bikes as easily as possible from the bus at the stop area.
Results achieved: New options for cyclists and local economy
Following a pilot project in 2018, the bike bus has been offered annually ever since, as it was well-received. The bike buses make it possible to open up a region that is topographically difficult to access for inhabitants and new guests, and increase the opportunities for the local leisure and tourism industry. Cyclists are given new options for tours, as they can travel sections that are difficult or too long to travel by bike. The trailer was designed so that passengers can charge their bikes as easily as possible from the bus at the stop area. Groups can reserve up to 10 parking spaces in advance. In addition to the normal ticket, a bicycle day ticket (€8 in 2025) is required to use the bus.
Lessons learned: Practical solutions for details are needed
This example has shown that there is a strong demand for bicycle transport on buses, particularly in the leisure time and tourism sector. For cost-effective solutions, adapting the service to demand, both spatially and temporally, is essential. Finding a solution for loading the bicycle trailer is critical (liability issues for drivers, easy handling for users, and consideration of heavier e-bikes). Coordinated solutions are also needed for fares and group bookings.
Cross Links
Contact: Landbus Bregenzerwald, www.regiobregenzerwald.at | www.landbusbregenzerwald.at
Publications: https://www.bregenzerwald.at/en/bicycle-bus-and-bicycle-transport-on-cable-cars/
Learn more
The project Active2Public Transport is supported by the Interreg Danube Region Programme project co-funded by the European Union. The project was initiated by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Department II/6 in cooperation with klimaaktiv mobil – the Austrian Federal climate protection initiative on sustainable mobility.