British architect, Norman Foster has unveiled plans for a set of elevated cycle highways in London, to provide cyclists with a safe and car free route around the capital. Foster + Partners, landscape architects Exterior Architecture and transport consultant Space Syntax have teamed together to develop this 'cycling utopia' concept, following the death of 14 cyclists on London's streets in 2013.
The proposed SkyCycle network is to use the space above and follow the already existing rail networks, which will provide over 220 km of car free cycle routes to 12,000 cyclists per hour. The revolutionary idea hopes to cut cyclists journey times across London by up to half an hour and ease the already very congested transport links throughout the city.
"SkyCycle is a lateral approach to finding space in a congested city," said Foster. "I believe that cities where you can walk or cycle, rather than drive, are more congenial places in which to live," he adds.
If the plans are approved, the SkyCycle could be seen in London within 20 years. The concept has major environmental and health benefits for the city, as well as being an innovative project to put London on the map.
The proposed SkyCycle network is to use the space above and follow the already existing rail networks, which will provide over 220 km of car free cycle routes to 12,000 cyclists per hour. The revolutionary idea hopes to cut cyclists journey times across London by up to half an hour and ease the already very congested transport links throughout the city.
"SkyCycle is a lateral approach to finding space in a congested city," said Foster. "I believe that cities where you can walk or cycle, rather than drive, are more congenial places in which to live," he adds.
If the plans are approved, the SkyCycle could be seen in London within 20 years. The concept has major environmental and health benefits for the city, as well as being an innovative project to put London on the map.