The German Autobahn is a famous location for speedsters in their cars, but it looks as though Germany is looking to offer the same thing for bicyclists.
The country has recently opened up the first five km (or around three miles) of what will eventually be a massive 100 km-long superhighway for bicycles.
The goal of the project is to connect as many as 10 cities in western Germany. Those cities include Duisburg, Bochum and Hamm, as well as four universities, all of which are located along railroad tracks that are no longer used. The new bicycle highway, according to Germany, will offer a commuting route for as many as two million people, resulting in 50,000 fewer cars being driven every single day.
It's important to note that this isn't just a 100 km bike path. The superhighway offers separated paths, flat surfacing and superior right-of-way for bicycles, giving cyclists the ability to travel the entire 100 km without having to stop for traffic or slow down for bumps on the path.
Of course, the project isn't cheap, and funding is somewhat in doubt for it. The cost for the original five km was split between the EU, local development agency RVR and the local government. The entire 100 km project, however, is expected to cost a massive 180 million euros, or $196 million.
The idea of a bike superhighway isn't totally new, especially in European countries. There is already a 22 km (13.7 miles) version in Denmark and a seven km (4.35 miles) version in the Netherlands, and London is set to build a 30 km (18.64 miles) superhighway connecting east and west London. Once completed, however, Germany's bike superhighway will be, by far, the longest.
Via: The Verge
