VCÖ Mobility Award 2026: Winning Projects Revealed

Announced by the Verkehrsclub Österreich, ÖBB, and mobility city councillor Ulli Sima (SPÖ), the prize recognizes exemplary mobility projects. Additional support for the initiative comes from Gesiba and the Verkehrsverbund Ost-Region (VOR). The Meiselstraße bicycle street claimed the overall victory for Vienna after being selected by a jury from a field of 75 submitted projects, which marked the highest number of submissions in any federal province. Priority has been given to bicycle traffic on Meiselstraße since autumn 2025. Combined with the two-way bicycle path on Hütteldorfer Straße, the project forms a new bike-friendly East-West connection through the 14th and 15th districts.

The Meiselstraße project also brought significant environmental changes to the area. According to project records, 60 trees were planted, 900 square meters were greened, and an additional 3,100 square meters were unsealed. Furthermore, the school forecourt at Lortzinggasse was made car-free to increase traffic safety for children. Penzing’s district head Michaela Schüchner and Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus district head Dietmar Baurecht (both SPÖ) accepted the VCÖ-Mobilitätspreis Vienna from city councillor Sima, VCÖ spokesperson Christian Gratzer, and Christian Holzer of ÖBB-Infrastruktur.

Extension of Tram Line 18 and Public Transit Integration

In addition to the main prize, the City of Vienna received recognition through municipal enterprises Wiener Linien and MA 18. The jury selected the extension of tram line 18—running from the U3 station Schlachthausgasse to the U2 station Stadion—as a particularly exemplary project. This extension increased Vienna’s tram network by 3.1 kilometers compared to the start of the year. Passengers have been able to travel directly from the U6 station Burggasse to the U2 station Stadion since September 5. The line provides transfer options to five underground lines. The construction project also incorporated climate adaptation measures in the streetscape and improvements to cycling infrastructure, resulting in 200 newly planted trees, over 10,000 square meters of greened space, and approximately 2,150 meters of new bicycle paths.

Did You Know? The VCÖ has made over 3,000 vorbildliche projects publicly accessible via its online platform.

Workplace Mobility Management Initiatives

Corporate projects were also honored during the prize distribution. The Vienna Chamber of Commerce (WKW) received an award for its “Betriebliches Mobilitätsmanagement 2026+” initiative. Developed in cooperation with local businesses and accompanied by experts, the program aims to establish measures for efficient and sustainable commuting. Examples include ride-sharing platforms designed to reduce morning traffic congestion. Nine companies employing a total of 7,800 workers have participated in the program to date.

Official Reactions and Future Environmental Impact

City councillor Sima expressed enthusiasm during the award ceremony regarding the city’s dual role as both award presenter and recipient. “Herzliche Gratulation an alle Projektsieger! Natürlich freue ich mich besonders, dass heuer Projekte ausgezeichnet wurden, bei denen wir als Stadt unmittelbar beteiligt sind,” Sima stated, highlighting that the bicycle street and the extended line 18 create a new public transit connection expected to save 1,300 tonnes of CO₂ annually.

Christian Holzer of ÖBB-Infrastruktur stated that the Mobilitätspreis demonstrates “eindrucksvoll, wie viele gute Ideen und konkrete Projekte es gibt, um Mobilität nachhaltiger, effizienter und innovativer zu gestalten.” VCÖ spokesperson Christian Gratzer added that Vienna demonstrates how urban mobility can function effectively, noting that the mobility behavior of the Viennese population remains the most cost-effective and climate-friendly when compared across federal provinces.