Bikes and Rails

**Bikes and Rails Housing Project** Bikes and Rails is a pioneering housing project located in Vienna's Sonnwendviertel, part of the habiTAT Mietshäuser Syndikat. The project aims to create self-organized and solidarity-based housing spaces that are permanently removed from the real estate market. The building, a 5-story passive house constructed with timber, features 17 residential units, a bicycle workshop, a café, and various community spaces. The project was realized through a combination of private direct loans, a bank loan, and a subsidy from the Vienna Municipality. This financing model allows for affordable rents and promotes a sense of community among residents. The project's focus on ecological sustainability is evident in its use of solar panels and a car-free lifestyle, with a large bicycle storage area and a workshop that refurbishes donated bicycles. Bikes and Rails has received several awards for its innovative approach to housing and sustainability, including the Na-Wo Award and the Active House Award. The project serves as a model for future community-led housing initiatives in Austria, demonstrating how self-organized and affordable housing can be achieved through solidarity and collective action.