The first five kilometers of a bike route that could eventually stretch 100 kilometers opened recently in Germany. An eventual "bike autobahn" could become even more expansive.
"Last month, Germany opened its first stretch of 'bike autobahn,' a cycle route that will eventually cover 100 kilometers (62 miles) between the northwestern cities of Duisburg and Hamm," according to an article by Feargus O'Sullivan.
A little more detail on the beginning, and the ambitous ends, of the new bike route:
The completed tracks are four meters (13 feet) wide, providing enough space for lanes set aside for overtaking. They’re fully segregated from cars (the Duisburg to Hamm route will run partly on disused railway tracks) and use bridges and overpasses to create a safer, smoother ride.
The hopes for the bike autobahn, however, do not end there. Other cities around the large country, like Munich and Cologne, are also planning similar bike networks. Much of O'Sullivan's focus in the article is devoted to the viability of a fully realized bike autobahn that provides viable commuter links and gets people out of cars and onto bikes.
Read the full story: Germany Launches Its National 'Bike Autobahn' Cycle Network
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