Most Vienna Residents Rarely or Never Drive a Car

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Most people aged 16 and older living in Vienna rarely or never drive a car, according to a VCÖ analysis based on data from Statistics Austria.

“Car fasting” isn’t limited to the traditional fasting season in Austria. Nationwide, 34 percent of people aged 16 and over rarely or never drive. In Vienna, that number rises to 63 percent, according to the latest analysis by the Austrian Transport Club (VCÖ). Interestingly, outside Vienna, people in the western federal states drive significantly less than those in the eastern regions.

1.8 Million People Don’t Drive at All

Around 1.8 million people in Austria aged 16 and older never drive a car, and another 810,000 do so only rarely. The share of people who drive little or not at all varies by age group and region.
According to VCÖ:

Among 40- to 50-year-olds, 25% rarely or never drive
Among 30- to 40-year-olds, 30%
Among 20- to 30-year-olds, 41%
Among 16- to 19-year-olds, 70%
In the 70+ age group, 44% rarely or never drive

There are also clear regional differences. In Vorarlberg, 34% rarely or never drive, while in Tirol and Salzburg the figure is 33%. In Lower Austria, however, only 22% fall into this category. The three western states also have the highest share of people—outside Vienna—who frequently use public transport or bicycles.

VCÖ mobility expert Michael Schwendinger explains:
“The mobility options available and the structure of settlements have a major influence on travel behavior. Compact settlement patterns make it easier for people to complete everyday trips without a car, while urban sprawl increases dependence on cars.”

Vienna Has the Highest Share of Daily Pedestrians

Urban areas and metropolitan regions naturally have a higher proportion of people who rarely or never drive. In the Graz metropolitan area, 39% of residents rarely or never drive; in Innsbruck, 40%; and in Vienna, 63%.

“When people can cover many everyday trips on foot, by bike, or by public transport, mobility becomes significantly cheaper. And less car traffic means fewer emissions, less noise, fewer traffic jams, and better air quality and quality of life for residents,” Schwendinger adds.

With the start of Lent, the “Car Fasting” initiative is launching under the motto “Fair on Foot.” VCÖ supports the initiative by the environmental officers of the Catholic and Protestant churches and encourages participation. Walking is the healthiest, most affordable, and most environmentally friendly form of mobility.

Two-thirds of people in Austria walk daily. Vienna leads the country with 73% daily pedestrians, followed by Salzburg and Carinthia at 70% each, according to VCÖ.