2015.08.10_munich_karlis_dambrans_flickr_cc_by_2.0The German city of Munich is looking into building ‘cycle highways’ connecting the city centre with the suburbs and surrounding region.

A feasibility study will begin soon based on the idea, which was proposed in part to reduce the difficulty and duration of long-distance journeys across Munich.

The new infrastructure, which would be used solely for cycling, is expected to be four metres across allowing cyclists to travel comfortably in both directions. Around 14 routes are planned, all between 5 and 15 kilometres in length.

The pilot is expected to run between the city centre and the area of Garching, home to the Technical University of Munich and BMW’s Munich branch.
‘We hope that many people will switch from cars to bicycles if there is a quick connection available,’ said Birgit Kastrup, an urban planner working on the pilot project. The city estimates that the new routes will cost € 1m per kilometre to implement.

Image source: Kārlis Dambrān (Flickr)