Cycling can be a precarious activity, especially in the dark. A new cycle path designed by Studio Roosegaarde, however, aims to make cycling in the dark a touch safer, whilst introducing an artistic element. The Van Gogh-Roosegaarde in Eindhoven glows in the dark to show cyclists the way.
The cycle path, developed in partnership with Heijmans, is the second output of a larger project by Studio Roosegaarde called Smart Highway, which aims to use different technologies to create the "interactive and sustainable roads of tomorrow." Last month saw the launch of the project's first output, a road with glow-in-the-dark markings.
The Van Gogh-Roosegaarde is part of the existing Van Gogh cycle route in Brabant, Netherlands, and is inspired by one of the artist's famous paintings, The Starry Night. It is part of a program that will celebrate Van Gogh in 2015, the 125th year after his death.
The path features thousands of luminescent stones that are charged via solar energy during the day and glow when it gets dark. This means that, in addition to helping to light the cycle path and celebrating Van Gogh's work, the stones do not use any electricity. A similar principle is used by the Starpath system, which has been used to create a glow-in-the-dark pedestrian path in the UK.
The Van Gogh-Roosegaarde cycle path opened yesterday. The video below provides an introduction.
Source: Studio Roosegaarde, Heijmans
