Young people in Vienna are increasingly giving up cars. This is shown by an analysis of mobility behavior over recent years, as the office of City Councillor for Transport Ulli Sima (SPÖ) told the Austria Press Agency (APA). Among 21- to 30-year-olds, the share of trips made by car has fallen significantly, particularly over the past ten years—by nearly ten percentage points. The decline was especially pronounced among men.
Car use drops sharply among young men
Overall, a 15-year period was analyzed. The data came from Vienna’s ongoing modal split survey conducted by the City of Vienna and Wiener Linien, which tracks the share of different modes of transport. Of the roughly 2,400 people surveyed each year, some are interviewed again the following year. This makes it possible to reliably trace both changes and continuities in behavior, according to the report.
Among younger generations, the share of trips made by private motorized transport—by car or two-wheeler, as driver or passenger—has changed markedly. According to the study, the drop in the private motorized transport share from 22 percent to 13 percent is likely to have long-term effects. Research suggests that mobility habits, especially car use, tend to persist as people age. After age 30, car use changes very little.
Mobility habits shape later stages of life
At the same time, young adults tend to pass on their mobility habits to their children to a certain extent. Here, too, trends toward more cycling and walking can be observed, officials said.
A gender comparison was also conducted, focusing on who actually drives. The results show that the share of young men who use cars has fallen by two-thirds. Between 2020 and 2024, only eight percent fell into this category, compared with 23 percent a decade earlier. Men have thus aligned their behavior more closely with that of women in the same age group.
Owning a car becomes less common, car sharing gains importance
According to the study, the sharp decline in car use among young people is also reflected in a strong increase in the number of those living without a private car. While 46 percent of people in this age group lived without a car in Vienna between 2010 and 2014, the figure has now risen to 60 percent. This does not mean they never use cars, but rather that they rely on options such as car sharing.
Overall, 42 percent of Vienna households do not own a car. Residents of these households make 44 percent of their trips by public transport and 38 percent on foot. Bicycles are also used more frequently than average, accounting for 14 percent of trips. Young single households (up to age 35) and single parents are particularly likely to live without a private vehicle.
