Talking about ecological transport to protect the planet is undoubtedly a topic of discussion on the bike. One of the best options for those who care about the environment and are not afraid to play a little sport and bet on an active lifestyle A real sustainable mobility alternative that is conquering more and more cities in Spain, but above all in the rest of the world. Proof of this are the cycle paths and greenways that are increasingly dominating the streets.
But when you talk about cycle paths and this means of transport, you are also talking about Northern Europe. And these countries are an example of the Use of urban bicycles. We have already seen it with the longest air-conditioned cycle path tunnel in the world, which is a work of art in Norway, and now we want to talk to you about what is considered one of the best cycle paths in nature. most beautiful in the world. Do you know where it is located?
The most beautiful cycle path in the world lies in a lake
In this case, we would like to take you to the open-air museum Bokrijk, a complex of parks, cultural centers, and historic buildings that is home to a section of cycle path considered one of the most spectacular in the world. An alley known as “Cycling through the Water” (“Cycling through Water” in Spanish) and crosses the waters of a lake east of the Belgian city of Genk.
A section of the cycle path that was inaugurated in April 2016 and has since become one of the most popular cycle paths for cyclists around the world.
A cycle path that you can ride more than 200 meters straight across a large lake and that takes you between the waters and a path on a level under the water. This creates an effect on the alley as if it is literally dividing the pond in two.
This allows you to get from one shore to the other and enjoy from there an idyllic natural landscape, as well as the observation of several species of amphibians, ducks, and swans.
An innovative cycle path project
This route for cyclists has had a positive and innovative impact on the construction of this type of cycle path. And beyond enriching the nature reserve and creating Museo al Aire Libre and Bokrijkhas, they also significantly contributed to the tourism boom in this vast area of 700 hectares of land full of impressive lagoons.
One of the main goals of this project was to highlight the beauty of the natural environment through artistic expressions, design, and architecture and to provide cyclists with a completely new and amazing experience. This is how this unique concrete path with a length of 212 meters was created, which crosses the impressive Bokrijk pond in De Wijers nature reserve. Another notable aspect of this project is that it has managed to preserve the integrity of the natural environment without compromising its beauty.
The cycle path is 3 meters wide and is 1.6 meters above the water. The Surface is non-slip, which is essential given the constant exposure to water. The design of the walkway aims to keep the water level at the level of the concrete wall, allowing cyclists to view the pond from an eye-level perspective. It creates the illusion of diving into the lake itself. This expands the interaction with nature and enhances the spectacular nature of the experience for those who visit.
A place that not only attracts cycling enthusiasts but also captivates numerous hikers who are attracted by its uniqueness. And that’s it for the opportunity to observe and photograph The emergence of cyclists from the water has also become the focus of attention and is becoming increasingly popular on social media.
The best cities in Spain to get around by bike
Beyond Northern Europe, we also find more and more cities in our country that are conscious of the environment and use bicycles to get around. Of all, according to the classification published by the OCU (Consumer and User Organization), only five cities can boast solid bike path infrastructure that allows for safe travel around the city. These cities are Vitoria, Valencia, Seville, Barcelona, and San Sebastian. This group represents less than half of all cities evaluated in this report.
What sets these cities apart is that they have developed a cycle path network that effectively connects the center with the outlying areas and provides fast and direct routes in all directions. In addition, urban planning and the layout of neighborhoods and streets favor the expansion of this network, its maintenance in good condition, and the possibility of making direct and fast journeys by bicycle.
