Bikes and Rails

Bikes and Rails is an innovative housing project located in Vienna, Austria, that combines sustainable living with a focus on bicycle-friendly urban mobility. The project is part of the habiTAT Mietshäuser Syndikat, a network of self-organized and solidarity-based housing initiatives aimed at creating affordable, long-term living spaces. Situated in the Sonnwendviertel-Ost neighborhood near Vienna's Central Station, Bikes and Rails consists of 18 residential units spread across five floors. The building is designed as a timber frame passive house with solar power, emphasizing ecological construction and energy efficiency. The ground floor houses community spaces, including a neighborhood café, the Lenkerbande bicycle workshop, and a common room, which serve as meeting places for residents and the wider community. The project stands out for its commitment to promoting climate-friendly mobility and fostering a lively neighborhood. It offers ample bicycle parking and storage facilities, encouraging residents to embrace cycling as a primary mode of transportation. The building's design, with its southern veranda and roof terrace, facilitates community interaction and connection with the surrounding urban area. Bikes and Rails is organized as an association, with all residents being members and collectively making decisions about the building's management and community life. The project was financed through a combination of Vienna housing subsidies and crowd-lending, making it accessible to residents without substantial savings.