Multi-tasking Mariahilfer

No more cars, but confusion and controversy on Mariahilferstraße, one of Vienna’s main shopping streets that was converted into a pedestrian zone in August. The main sources of irritation are bikers – required to bike at walking pace, but often cycling speedily – and public transportation on the street dividing 6th and 7th District.

Complaints by drivers of the 13A bus have led to a compromise between Wiener Linien and Vice Mayor Maria Vassilakou, responsible for city development and traffic: The bus line will be split on Saturdays, making it necessary to cross the shopping street and get on another bus to continue the journey – leading to more controversy.

"We’ve said from the beginning that there will be an optimisation phase until fall", said Vassilakou about the rusty start of her project. (See also "Careful What You Wish For", p.14)