Exciting Innovations in Cycling and What They Mean for Cyclists
Mar 27, 2023
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Cycling is an activity that is popular all over the world. While some people see it as a recreational activity that they do to bond with family and explore their towns a bit better, others use it as their primary mode of transportation and some rely on cycling as their main way of staying in shape. No matter what group they might belong to, everyone wants to stay in touch with the latest innovations in the field and what they mean for cyclists.
New cycling apparel
First of all, cycling apparel is among the priorities when it comes to improving the lives of cyclists. For example, Lycra came out a while ago but it’s still very useful for aerodynamic design as it reduces drag and comes with moisture-wicking properties. Some new fabric technologies are emerging that have similar features.
Then, as cyclists often suffer from lower back pain, smart bikewear that can analyze a cyclist’s posture is being developed. That way, a rider will be able to adjust their posture as they cycle. Lastly, smart shirts with sensors that monitor heart rate and stress levels can be used to boost performance.
3D-printed mountain bikes
When it comes to bike production, 3D printing is also starting to play a role. For instance, Materialize, a company based in Bremen, produced an aluminum shape that could be used as a mountain bike sometime in the future. While it’s not usable yet, it’s made by melting aluminum powder and forming it into the shape of a bike. They made it with recyclability in mind.
Non-stop bike commutes
There are some countries like Denmark where cycling is very popular among the population. For example, over a third of Copenhagen’s residents bike to work every day. With that in mind, they have made the city more bike-friendly. Recently, an 11-mile bike superhighway was introduced to help cyclists get to where they have to go without stopping at traffic lights and wasting time. By riding at 20kmph, a cyclist will never have to stop at a red light. Furthermore, the city is investing in new bicycle bridges over the harbor that will accommodate more and more cyclists with pumps, footrests, and trash cans at a specific angle.
Car-free zones
Although the US is still mostly oriented towards cars when it comes to commuting and they see cycling as a recreational activity, some cities are focusing on bikes and avoiding this car-centric mindset. Portland built a multimodal car-free bridge that carries buses, streetcars, and light rail trains in addition to having bikes and pedestrian lanes on both sides. Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People was opened in September 2015.
Elevated superhighways
Melbourne is home to a multi-billion-dollar project called West Gate Tunnel which contains a 2.5km bike path that is supposed to be enclosed in a cage. This is supposed to promote the safety of cyclists as it allows them to avoid the notoriously dangerous Footscray Road. While it can be useful, some safety concerns have been raised by women cyclists as there are no quick exit points.
Solar-powered lanes
Some countries are using bike lanes to produce renewable energy. For example, in the Netherlands, there is a cycle lane that is equipped with solar panels as well as photovoltaic cells that can produce energy. Moreover, South Korea has a similar approach. A 32-km long cycle lane that has a solar roof stretches from the city of Sejong to the city of Daejeon. The roof protects cyclists from all sorts of weather while it also produces enough power for the whole route.
Eco-friendly lanes
Finally, there are other eco-friendly types of bicycle lanes. The Netherlands, again, developed eco-dynamic cycle lanes that use bio-composite, a mixture of organic resin and wood fiber that’s left over as no trees are cut for it. On the other hand, there are also bike paths that not only don’t pollute but clean the environment as well. A type of paving is being developed that will reduce the nitrogen oxide gases which are generated by cars and other motor vehicles. This company ran an experiment in Pamplona, Spain, and concluded that this approach lowered gases by 50%.
Many other innovations will benefit both riders and the environment. It’s important to stay in the loop to see what other ingenuity is coming our way.