Ruhr bicycle autobahn

Last November, politicians, environmentalists, and bicycling enthusiasts gathered in Mülheim in Germany’s Ruhr Valley — one of Europe’s major industrial centers — to open the first 11 kilometres (7 miles) of a planned 100 kilometre biking highway.

It will connect 10 western cities including Duisburg, Bochum, and Hamm and four universities, running largely along disused railroad tracks in the crumbling Ruhr industrial region. Almost 2 million people live within 2 kilometres of the route.

13 feet wide, the bike highway, will parallel the A40 highway, which project organizers hope will entice residents to forsake their cars and ride bikes.