Poland has just unveiled a glow-in-the dark cycle path powered by solar energy. NextNature.net reports that the path near Lidzbark Warminski is illuminated using synthetic ‘luminophores’ that light up after being charged by sunlight.
The material in the bike path can emit light for around 10 hours. Director of the Board of Regional Roads in Olsztyn, Waldemar Królikowski, said that the project is meant to improve the safety of people cycling at night.
In 2014, a cycle path that generates energy from sunlight opened in the Netherlands. Known as SolaRoad, the experiment worked even better than expected with the initial 70m stretch generating enough electricity to power a small household for a year.
We’ve also reported on a 20-mile cycle path in South Korea which features a roof made of solar panels. Running down the middle of a six-lane motorway, cyclists gain access by travelling through underground passageways. The solar panels are used to power the lights that line the road and also charging points for electric cars.
8 thoughts on “Video: Poland gets solar-powered, glow-in-the-dark cycle path”
I didn’t see him because he
I didn’t see him because he wasn’t on the glowing path.
for the non-polish speakers,
for the non-polish speakers, the dude in the glasses said they not only make luminous tarmac in their lab; they make scented stuff too, including one that gives off the aroma of coffee!
If the path wasn’t a
If the path wasn’t a ridiculous slalom shape, perhaps there’d be no need for it to glow in the dark?!
DaveE128 wrote:
That is just a wee joke, isn’t it ?
fukawitribe wrote:
That is just a wee joke, isn’t it ?— DaveE128
Partly! 🙂
I wondered why they had treated this particular short section of path, and noticed the bizarre shape that it is laid in around the tree, and figured that being in an unlit section that is otherwise straight, perhaps the motivation came from people riding off the path (and perhaps into the tree) unintentionally?
It’s an interesting idea though, and I wonder if it improves the effectiveness of pedestrian/cycling segregation compared to a white line? I wonder if the glow in the dark effect lessens significantly over time with accumulation of dirt?
As the solar energy can light
As the solar energy can light the path, can that solar energy also be used to heat the path making it frost/snow free in the winter?
As the solar energy can light
As the solar energy can light the path, can that solar energy also be used to heat the path making it frost/snow free in the winter?
There’s a couple of solar
There’s a couple of solar footpaths in Cambridge and they’re rubbish. Notice that the “night time” shot in the video is a still with what is clearly a long exposure time (thus the bright horizon)