5 Types of Ambitious Cycling Projects We Want to See More of in 2020

By Monica Buck

Good architecture does much more than just fulfilling the original purpose it was designed for. It can be an art piece reflecting the society and its cultural values, drawing people towards it. In case of cycling infrastructure, drawing people on bicycles towards it. We saw over the past few years that clever architectonic solutions put more people on bicycles, even if it is just to ride over the famous construction itself. And that’s why we need more ambitious projects like the ones below.

Cycling through water (Limburg, Belgium)

The project Visit Limburg has turned simple pond crossing into a unique experience. Time magazine named it on its 100 greatest places list, and on average 700 visitors per day explore this part of the Limburg cycle route network. The path is more than 200 metres long and 3 metres wide, with water at eye level on both sides.

The biggest bike parking in the world (Utrecht, the Netherlands)

Safe storage with clever solutions is more important here than the size itself. Visitors can bike all the way to free slots, which are electronically signposted. The overall capacity, however, is pretty impressive too. 12,500 parking places in total. You’ll also find a rental service and a repair shop onsite.

The construction took almost five years. © Profimedia, Avalon Editorial, Wang Yanan

Hovenring (Eindhoven, the Netherlands)

It is the oldest structure on our list. However, of all the cycling architecture we have ever written about, this one generated the biggest response on social media. The bridge comprises of a 70-metre-high pylon, 24 steel cables and a circular bridge deck, and is made of circa 1,000 tons of steel. It helps cyclists to overcome the busy intersection near the cities of Eindhoven and Veldhoven unharmed. And it looks beautiful.

Cycling through trees (Limburg, Belgium)

Back to Limburg with another proof that the journey may also be the destination. Cyclists ride through the Pijnven forest at a height of up to 10 metres above the ground level. The double circle is a unique solution to the simple problem of a junction.

This iconic construction is nearly 700 metres long. You can cycle or walk through a different scene every season. You discover the sounds and scents of the Pijnven forest whilst biking to a height of up to 10 metres. This exceptional landmark, with a diameter of 100 metres, offers a sensational yet safe cycling experience for the young and old. © BYCS.org

Recycling gone wild (Auckland, New Zealand)

A redundant piece of highway infrastructure reused and reinvented as a cycleway. One of the best examples of recycling ever, it completes Auckland’s inner-city cycle loop. The 600-metre off-ramp is painted a bright resolute pink to signal an urban realm for pedestrians and cyclists that is differentiated from the surrounding active highway network.

© BYCS.org