Sitting here contemplating if it's ever going to stop raining long enough for me to ride my bike to renew my driver's license, and I come across Bike Tubes in the Sky at Bicycle Design.
James writes about a Toronto architect, Chris Hardwicke, who has come up with the idea of building a bike transit system in his city that uses a network of tubes elevated above the city streets.
Hardwicke's Velo-City Project website tells all about it. The tubes provide all-weather cycling (that would be a plus here as well) and are separated for direction of travel. In addition to safety, the separation creates a “dynamic air circulation loop” that enables cyclists to ride in a constant tailwind, increasing efficiency by 90 percent.
Hardwicke explains that most transit systems are passive. You sit there and get taken somewhere. The Velo-City tubes are an active form, because you jump on your bike and take off .
“It levels the playing field for cyclists making cycling a real choice for urban commuters.”
Although I can think of dozens of problems that would have to be worked out, it's an idea that deserves examination. Hardwicke can be heard talking about his project on a podcast at Smart City Radio.
Photo from Velo City website (Check out the helmets. Definitely museum pieces.)
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