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AusTexMurf

Member

From: South Austin

Registered: 2008-11-21

Posts: 439

A Floating Suspension Bridge That Lets Cyclists Sail Over Car Traffic

Oh, to be a cyclist in the Netherlands. This steel tensioned deck lets cyclists ride high above a busy multi-lane highway in Eindhoven—one of the most bike-friendly areas in the world.

The roundabout was completed last year, but it's back in the news after it was nominated for a Dutch Design Award this month. It's is a simple solution to a complicated planning problem: How to protect cyclists from a complicated four-way traffic roundabout. IPV Delft, the firm behind the project, describes it as a "floating saucer."

http://gizmodo.com/a-floating-suspensio … 1453401188

The Hovenring is a suspended bicycle path roundabout on the border between Eindhoven and Veldhoven in the Netherlands. It is the first suspended bicycle roundabout in the world.

The Hovenring was first conceived of in 2008, when increased traffic between Eindhoven and Veldhoven was starting to overwhelm the capacity of the roundabout on the crossing of the Heerbaan in Veldhoven and the Meerenakkerweg/Heistraat.
In order to improve the flow of traffic and improve safety, it was decided to separate motorized and bicycle traffic completely. In addition, it was decided to transform the roundabout for cars into a regular crossing of streets, to improve the flow of traffic. This left a decision to be made about what to do about the bicycle traffic. The city council of Eindhoven decided that they wanted to develop an eye-catching project, in keeping with ambitions of the Brainport top technology region (a knowledge economy-driven cooperative of the municipalities in the Eindhoven metropolitan area).

http://hovenring.com
Bird's-eye view Hovenring Eindhoven (the Netherlands) designed by ipv Delft
This spectacular circular cycle bridge in the Dutch city of Eindhoven has recently been opened to the public. The cable-stayed bridge, designed by ipv Delft, offers cyclists and pedestrians an exciting crossover. With its impressive pylon, 72 metre diameter, thin deck and conspicuous lighting, the cyclist roundabout is a new landmark for the city.
http://vimeo.com/71511991