7 Big Ways Cities Have Transformed Themselves for Bikes

The number of bikes in our cities is increasing , and with that addition we ’re also seeing some major changes in the way cities are designed . Engineers are consecrate bikes their own bridges , tunnels , overpass , even escalator ! , making biking palpate like it ’s an essential , permanent part of the city .

Last hebdomad , Copenhagen announced anelevated cycleway for the Øresund Bridge , an subsist bridge which connects the city to Malmö , Sweden . It ’s the second long bridgework in Europe , and at about eight miles long , will in all likelihood be the longest consecrate bike bridge in the creation . That ’s a serious consignment to the cyclists in the part , but also to the wellness and well - being for all residents . Customized bike infrastructure is more comfy , convenient , and good for those who select to travel on two wheel , but it ’s also safer for pedestrians as well . As the cycle motion gains momentum , we ’ll be seeing cities devoting more space and vigor towards these awing wheel - only betterment that make streets safe for everyone .

Cykelslangen bridge | Copenhagen, Denmark

television by Classic Copenhagen

Thiselevated motorcycle bridgeover the urban center ’s harbor opened earlier this calendar month as a two - lane , bikes - only connector for Copenhagen ’s encompassing wheel net . Cykelslangen , or “ cycle snake ” curves up and over the body of water with broad lane , a gradual rise , and a endearing orange pavement that provides a nice contrast to move cyclists .

Lugaritz-Morlans commuter tunnel | San Sebastian, Spain

Photo byJuande Jiménez

In 2009 the urban center of San Sebastian convert an old railway burrow into theworld ’s tenacious bike commuter train tunnel . A piffling over a half - mi long , the tunnel connects two neighborhoods that were previously unprocurable to rockers on either side . Now cyclist can mount the route all the way to the neighboring city of Bilbao .

Trampe CycloCable bike lift | Trondheim, Norway

For those calf - drink down street what could be better than abike liftthat make cyclists a petty rise to the top ? This Norwegian lift date to 1993 but was supplant last class with anupdated designwhich is now being marketed to other cities . Incidentally , this is the bike infrastructure proposed for DC that spawned anangry op - ed — and subsequent dissent — last week .

Bike escalators | Tokyo, Japan

Photo viaShift

A similar concept to the wheel rhytidoplasty are these bike escalators , found in Tokyo ’s parking garages and metro stations . A moving track for tires gives a slight additional push to rider as they walk their bike up the stairs . It ’s a skillful gesture for commuters coming home from work , as the last thing they want to do at the end of the day is carry a bike up three flights of stairs — peculiarly in heels .

Hovenring | Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Not too many places have finagle to integrate freeways and bicyclist with success , but provide it to The Netherlands to find a solution . TheHovenring , which was finished in 2013 , is a floating brand pause pack of cards that allows bikes to travel up and over the busy highway . The result structure is not only useful , but absolutely beautiful , too .

ECO Bicycle Parking | Tokyo, Japan

Like something out of a sci - fi movie , thisbike garage by Gikenmechanically parks 100 of bike underground , saving prison term for commuters and outer space for city . user load their cycle into a dock and swipe their membership cards , sending their bikes below ground for storage . Upon return , users swipe their cards again , and their bike surfaces in about eight seconds . conjuration .

Cycle Superhighways | London, UK

There are plenty of bike highway across Europe , notably a large system in Copenhagen that allows rockers to move easy across the city . The same concept is currently being built out in Londonas part of the bike share programme , connecting the suburbs with consecrate , numbered routes to the interior city .

Top icon viaClassic Copenhagen , who also shot the video .

Do you have an awesome bike - only infrastructure project near you ? omit a pic and verbal description below .