Electric Biking in Salzburg: An Updated 2024 City Guide

Welcome to the ultimate guide to electric biking in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and a city synonymous with music, history, and stunning alpine scenery. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Eastern Alps, Salzburg provides an unparalleled setting for e-biking enthusiasts.

Whether you're winding through the narrow streets of its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town, exploring the extensive network of paths along the Salzach River, or tackling more challenging terrain in the nearby mountains, an e-bike allows you to experience Salzburg in a unique, eco-friendly, and exhilarating way.

Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about e-biking in Salzburg - from the best trails to the city's e-bike infrastructure, where to rent or buy an e-bike, and the local rules and regulations for e-bikes.

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Salzburg's Best Electric Bike Trails

Salzburg offers an impressive array of bike trails that are perfect for e-biking, allowing you to explore both the city and the stunning surrounding landscapes. Here are some of the best trails:

Salzach River Trail

This Salzach River Trail follows the river, offering fantastic views of the city and the nearby mountains. It's mostly flat, which makes it ideal for leisurely rides.

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Hellbrunner Allee

The Hellbrunner Allee trail starts at the edge of the old town and takes you through a beautiful avenue of trees, leading to the Hellbrunn Palace with its trick fountains and beautiful gardens.

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Mozart Cycle Route

The Mozart Cycle Route is a long-distance bike trail (around 450 km) that runs through parts of Germany and Austria, connecting many locations associated with the composer Mozart, who was born in Salzburg.

Salzkammergut Bike Trail

The Salzkammergut Bike Trail is over 340 km and covers multiple lakes and towns, you can choose to do a part of it, particularly the sections near Salzburg. This trail offers gorgeous views of the Austrian lake district.

Tauern Cycle Path

For the more adventurous, the Tauern Cycle Path (around 270 km) takes you from Krimml Waterfalls to Passau, passing through Salzburg. The route offers fantastic views of the Alps.

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Salzburg's Electric Bike Infrastructure

Salzburg has made significant investments to promote cycling and e-biking, making it one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Austria. Here are some of the key elements of Salzburg's e-bike infrastructure:

‍Bike Lanes and Paths: Salzburg features a comprehensive network of cycling paths, including separate bike lanes on many city streets and scenic paths along the Salzach River and through parks. This network makes it easy and safe to get around the city on an e-bike.‍
Bike Shops and Rental Facilities: There are numerous shops selling e-bikes and traditional bicycles, as well as many rental facilities offering e-bikes for tourists. Many of these shops also provide servicing and repairs.‍
Charging Stations: Salzburg and the surrounding region have several charging stations for e-bikes, particularly useful for longer trips outside the city.‍
Integration with Public Transport: Bikes, including e-bikes, can be transported on most of Salzburg's public transport network, including buses and trains, though some restrictions apply during peak hours.‍
Signage and Maps: Salzburg has clear signage for bike lanes and paths, and provides maps specifically for cyclists, detailing the city's bike network and highlighting points of interest.

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Tours and Renting an Electric Bike in Salzburg

If you're looking for a place to rent an e-bike in Salzburg, you're in luck. The city offers several rental services where you can find the perfect e-bike for your trip. Here are some recommended locations:

Avelo Salzburg

Avelo Salzburg offers different tiers of city e-bikes (comfort, comfort plus, premium) as well as electric mountain bikes. You can rent for 2 hours, 4 hours, 24 hours, or a week.

DoReMi E-Bike Tours

DoReMi E-Bike Tours offers a unique Salzburg experience to take a Sound of Music movie site guided e-bike tour.

EBike Adventure Salzburg

EBike Adventure Salzburg offers an e-bike guided tour of the city, that gives you a comfortable and convenient way to explore the city and see the Alps.

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Salzburg's Best Electric Bike Shops

Whether you're looking to buy an e-bike or need some repair work done, Salzburg offers an array of high-quality bike shops to serve you. Here are a few worth mentioning:

Radsport Wagner GmbH

Radsport Wagner GmbH has large selection of electric bike types including electric mountain, trekking, city, and road bikes. They carry top brands like Specialized and Bianchi.

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Radfurst GmbH

Radfurst GmbH has a leading bike shop in Salzburg that carries electric bikes from Riese & Muller, Johansson, and Urban Arrow. They also have a great service department.

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Bikepalast Salzburg

Bikepalast Salzburg is one of the biggest bike stores in Salzburg. They have an extensive selection of electric bikes including city, mountain, racing, children, and hardtail e-bikes. They have flexible financing options for any new purchases, an extensive service department for e-bike owners, and any piece of gear or e-bike accessory you could ask for.

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Salzburg's E-Bike Rules and Regulations

Safety Equipment: E-bikes must be equipped with front and rear lights. These must be used when visibility is poor or during night-time riding. All e-bikes must be equipped with a bell or another audible warning device. Helmets are not compulsory for e-bikes that assist up to 25 km/h but are highly recommended. For "speed pedelecs", helmet use is mandatory.
Road Rules:
Bike Specifications: E-bikes that provide power up to 25 km/h with a motor output not exceeding 250 watts are considered bicycles under Austrian law. These can be used without a driving license and without having to register or insure the e-bike. E-bikes that assist beyond 25 km/h (up to a max of 45 km/h) are classified as "speed pedelecs" and require insurance and a special license plate.
Where to Ride: When cycling paths are available and designated for use, cyclists are obliged to use them. E-bike riders should ride on the right side of the road, except in designated areas.
Age Restrictions: There's no age restriction for e-bikes that assist up to 25 km/h. For "speed pedelecs", riders must be at least 16 years old and hold a moped driving license.
Administrative Regulations:

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