Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
Inexact change.

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                 

Highways for Cyclists

cycle paths without junctions
  (+6)
(+6)
  [vote for,
against]

This idea is so simple that I'm surprised it hasn't been done on a large scale (I've researched it).

It is mainly intended for dense cities such as central London and Paris, where distances are fairly short and people don't normally travel by car.

Apply the same principle used for highways to cycle paths:

* no junctions * no traffic lights * entry and exit via ramps * two cycle lanes in each direction to allow overtaking * Good signposting for easy navigation * Only bikes are allowed

In a big city, this can be achieved in three ways:

* Elevated cycleways * Underground cycleways under trunk roads, build in cut-and-cover method * Street level cycleways with underpasses for pedestrians and cars (for short distances only)

The advantages:

* Unbeatable speed over shorter distances (below 3km), up to about 20 km speed is similar to underground. * Much cheaper than building new underground lines, but similar capacity and jouney time (the *average* speed of the underground is only 15 km/h - similar to cycling!) *Safe, traffic free routes protected from the elements would persuade the masses to cycle, justifying the investment * Low land use * High capacity per unit cost

Some of the investment costs could be offset by renting out retail space along the cycleways

Challenge: The network of cycleways needs to be fairly dense, and it needs to cover the whole of the city, to take advantage of network effects

kinemojo, Jul 11 2006

Why not this as well? Land_20luge_20commuter_20lanes
[normzone, Jul 11 2006]

MRL party http://www.omrlp.co...iew&id=19&Itemid=39
Yes it really is a genuine political party, and they make as much sense as any other [fridge duck, Jul 12 2006]

Velo-City http://www.velo-city.ca/MainFrameset.html
Toronto has the right idea. [Worldgineer, May 03 2007]

Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.
Short name, e.g., Bob's Coffee
Destination URL. E.g., https://www.coffee.com/
Description (displayed with the short name and URL.)






       Are you a complete monster raving loony?
//In order to combat motorway congestion we will immediately close all motorways to all vehicles with the exception of bicycles to encourage our green policy and fitness. Any bicycles with more than 3 gears will also be banned for safety reasons. Apart from anything else this will allow police to get on with catching burglars. Traffic cops who are not intelligent enough to cope with proper police work will be allowed to wear their uniforms for a transitional period before being re trained as vicars//.
See link for more.
fridge duck, Jul 12 2006
  

       Pretty well baked at least in Finland. Not in the city area but on the suburbs. I lived in Helsinki and was able to ride to work about 15 km pretty much without interruptions from cars. Wide cyclepaths with underpasses and separate traffic lights for bicycles. These 2 metre wide light traffic highways are meant for human powered vehicles, walkers, joggers and mopeds. So not only for bicycles. And they have separate signs for directions.
Pellepeloton, Oct 16 2006
  

       I was going to post something similar, so I'll just anno here.   

       Seattle could use this - we have a high biking population despite it being a terribly bike-unfriendly city (too many hills, far too many cars, far too many intersections, etc.). For instance, having to stop every block when you hit a red light is maddening - even more so at the bottom of a hill. Elevated (and therefore reasonably level) bicycle freeways between major districts would make the city much easier to navigate on two wheels.
Worldgineer, May 03 2007
  

       Don't they have this in Amsterdam?
coprocephalous, May 03 2007
  

       Its a good idea. Too good for the morons we have as local politicians these days. Plus you're taking business from automobile companies and they don't take to kindly to that..
DrWotsit, Jun 09 2007
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle