Vienna  - Vienna's trade-in programme for old bicycles was expanded, the city government announced Wednesday, after hundreds of citizens signed up for a cash reward to upgrade to new pedals.

The Austrian capital doubled the number of subsidized bicycles from 1,000, paying 70 euros (100 dollars) for each trade-in.

So far, 300 cyclists have signed up, with hundreds more on the waiting list.

Earlier in August, Vienna started the programme in which the old bikes are not sent to the scrapyard but refurbished in a workshop staffed with long-term unemployed job seekers.

The city plans to sell the repaired bicycles or to give them to poor citizens for free.

Austria's government scheme for trading in old cars ran out in early July after premiums had been awarded to 30,000 buyers of new vehicles. (dpa)