220 CultureShock! Austria
which can be found on the Donauinsel (Danube Island). The
Prater is another good place for cycling.Rules and Rental
In Vienna, bikes are allowed on the subway and trains, but with
some restrictions: not during rush hours, with a half-price ticket
for the bike and confined to areas with a blue-and-white bicycle
sign. If you don’t own a bicycle, rent one at the following train
stations: Westbahnhof, Südbahnhof and Bahnhof Wien Nord.
You can also rent bicycles on the Donauinsel and at the Prater
amusement park.The Donau Radweg (Danube Bike Path) covers 305 km
and stretches from Passau in Germany to Hainburg near
the Austrian border with Slovakia. The Wachau section is
particularly pleasant. You can even cycle around Neusiedler
Lake. It takes more than a day, camping is possible, and you
need your passport because the southern tip lies in Hungary.
If you are up to it, you can participate with 13,000 other riders
in the 355-km Tour de Mur that takes place every June in
Styria. Of course, there are many bicycling paths throughout
Austria, including some challenging ones in Alpine areas.Donauinsel
Not only can you ride your bike on Donauinsel, but there
are also walking paths, large greens for picnicking or playing
soccer and a trampoline-like play area for children that floats
on the river. You can rent bikes and rollerblades near the
Reichsbrücke. The Viennese head to the island to sunbathe
and swim in the river. After a day of sports, you can relax with
a drink or a meal in one of the many clubs or restaurants.
The Donauinsel is easily reached by taking the U1 subway,
or you can park nearby and cross over to the island.Water Sports
In the summer, Austrians take to the water to swim, sail,
windsurf or canoe. Hundreds of lakes dot the country amid