An architect has unveiled his design for a network of cycle lanes elevated above the city, with the aim of cutting down travelling times and improving safety for cyclists across London.
The network of raised bike paths (designed by Norman Foste) has been named ‘SkyCycle’ and will allow cyclists to be exempt from the usual road traffic, rushlane.com reports. If the project goes ahead, it is likely to benefit tourists, business travellers and regular commuters alike by encouraging people to cycle and freeing up space on the current transport system.
The project already has the support of Transport for London and Network Rail, but the there is still a question mark over the financing of the project. The developers of the SkyCycle are currently seeking funding to conduct a feasibility study.
Lead architect, Norman Foster, told bbc.co.uk that cities where walking and cycling is made easier are generally better places to live and visit, but for this to happen cycling has to be made safe. This biggest problem facing the project is finding space for the segregated cycle lanes, as London is already an overcrowded city.
Mr Foster said: “SkyCycle is a lateral approach to finding space in a congested city. By using the corridors above the suburban railways, we could create a world-class network of safe, car free cycle routes that are ideally located for commuters.”