The First Cycling Autobahns

As American cyclists continue to struggle to get enough bike lanes for safe commuting in cities, Germany has launched the first stage of a bicycle-only autobahn that runs for 62 miles and connects 10 German cities and four universities in the northwest Ruhr industrial area. Funded by regional government and tourism authorities, as well as the European Union, the bicycle-only autobahn is being built mostly on unused railroad tracks and does not allow cars, trucks or buses anywhere on it. The bicycle autobahns are 13-feet wide, have passing lanes and cross most roads with overpasses and underpasses. The plan is to extend these bicycle-only autobahns throughout Germany.