China has just built the world’s longest elevated cycle path
We’ve heard of Beijing’s nine million bikes and China referred to as the “Kingdom of Bicycles”. But the reality in many Chinese cities is that the car is king, and getting from A to B has become increasingly difficult – and dangerous – for the country’s cyclists.
However, the emergence of popular bike-sharing schemes, frustration with gridlocked roads, and efforts to tackle the country’s air pollution crisis are all helping to rekindle China’s love affair with cycling.
The southeast city of Xiamen has gone even further with the construction of a 7.6km elevated skyway for bikes – the world’s longest elevated cycle path.
image: Dissing + Weitling Architecture
Connecting the major residential and business sectors of the city, the aerial cycleway sits below Xiamen’s existing overhead bus transport system. At 4.8 m wide it has capacity for over 2000 bikes at a time, and will join up with 11 bus stations and two subway stations. As well as space to park bikes, it will also have bikes available to hire.
Image: Dissing + Weitling Architecture
Designed and completed in six months, the project was the latest in a number of raised cycleways by Danish architects Dissing+Weitling. Another project, the ‘Bicycle Snake’, was completed in 2014. The 230 m bridge connects Copenhagen’s harbour area to the city.
Copenhagen had already cemented its status as a bike-friendly city with a cycle super-highway that connects the city with the suburban town of Albertslund, 22 km away. The eventual aim is to build a network of 28 cycle superhighways, covering 500 km. It is estimated the network will increase the number of cycle lanes in Greater Copenhagen by 15% and reduce public expenditure by €40.3m annually thanks to improved health.
Image: Foster + Partners
Meanwhile, London is among other cities considering proposals for elevated bike paths. Architect Norman Foster unveiled plans to create a 220 km car-free cycle network around the city and surrounds. The city has already introduced a network of cycle superhighways on roads.
Please find the original article here
Written by Charlotte Edmond, Formative Content.
--Future of Construction 10:34, 20 Oct 2017 (BST)
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Put digitalisation and sustainability at the core of curricula
Project management educators are urged.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.
APM Programme Management Conference 2024
Strategies for Success.
Residential takes the reins as contract awards even out
Contracts down, but remain above the last quarter of 2023.
Celebrating Eid and the largest mud-brick building.
Barry Kingscote claims prestigious CIOB CMYA Award.
The British Mosque: an architectural and social history
The story of some 1,500 mosques or more in Britain.
Heat pump refrigerants, efficiencies and impacts
R12 to R1270 what are the differences?
Global heat pump market in 2023
Challenging times with positive but modest outlook.
Beyond the infrastructure pipeline
Opportunities and chokepoints.