A trio of companies and organizations worked to create SkyCycle, a conceptual biking path for London that would keep cyclists safe and relieve congestion on the city's streets. Foster + Partners, Exterior Architecture and Space Syntax envision a series of cycling paths built on top of existing train lines. The idea is that cyclists would be kept off the streets (keeping them safe) and that building on top of existing train lines would save both time (cyclists' time and construction time) and money.
SkyCycle would span some 137 miles and would feature 200 access points. Of the 10 different routes, it is estimated that each one could accommodate an average of 12,000 riders per hour. If the idea is give the okay, it's possible to have SkyCycle fully up and running within 20 years.
Train-Hopping Bike Lanes
SkyCycle Aims to Put Bike Paths on Top of London's Train Lines
Trend Themes
1. Bike Highway - Creating a separate highway for bikers on top of existing train lines to ensure their safety and relieve congestion on city streets.
2. Smart Infrastructure - Integrating smart infrastructure concepts, such as bike paths on rail tracks, to allow for more efficient transportation options.
3. Eco-friendly Transport - Promoting eco-friendly transport options by building bike lanes above existing train lines to reduce traffic and carbon footprint.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Planning - Utilizing digital models and smart sensors to plan and construct safe and efficient bike highways for growing urban populations.
2. Architecture - Innovative architectural design, such as utilizing existing train tracks as a foundation for a bike path, to create unique and sustainable infrastructure solutions.
3. Transportation - Introducing eco-friendly transportation options by incorporating bike paths on train lines to promote alternative ways of traveling that reduce traffic and pollution.