Answer us this: what’s cooler than riding your bike through a mountain in a car-free tunnel? Not much if you ask us! Well, soon this will actually be possible.
Norway is set to open a new bike and pedestrian route that was built parallel to a light rail tunnel, connecting Fyllingsdalen to the Bergen city center.
This tunnel isn’t just any tunnel. It’s officially the longest, purpose-built, vehicle-free tunnel in the world. The tunnel is 2.9K long and takes about 10 minutes to cycle through, according to Euronews.
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Proof that it was designed by people who really thought through the needs of the users? It features designated lanes for bikes and pedestrians.
Too beautiful to be creepy
If you’re worried that a passage through a mountain sounds creepy or scary, the designers thought of that, too. Not only does the tunnel have more than 100 safety cameras, it’s also full of art, Euronews reports. The idea was to make a route that’s safe, fun, and interesting for people to use on bikes and on foot.
Sure, let’s have a race and a bike parade through a mountain!
The tunnel is opening to the public on April 15, and it’s doing so with a bang: a foot race through the tunnel is happening on Saturday, and a bike parade (perhaps one of our favorite ideas to commemorate the opening of something ever) on Sunday.
Psychologists helped design the tunnel’s layout
In addition to civil engineers, psychologists also played a role in the tunnel’s layout, which is why there are two rest areas, according to Life in Norway. Rest areas add to the feeling of safety throughout.
The Fyllingsdal tunnel then connects to Bergen’s cycle route, which makes it a complete, safe way to maneuver the city on a bike. The tunnel and cycle routes are funded by the state-supported Miljøløftet (Environmental Promise) whose goal is to make it easier for more people to choose cycling and walking over driving.
Besides being safe and fun, it’s also more efficient for cyclists. To make the same trip without the tunnel would add about 5.5K. The tunnel will save those commuting by bike at least 20 minutes.
Exercise, art, and efficient travel. Norway seems to be onto something!
