The project didn't appear all at once. It was built idea after idea, each answering a question raised by the one before: what about noise? what about safety? what about cost? what about winter? This page retraces that journey.
The concept. The idea is born: a network of bike tunnels roughly 100 km long, built at low cost thanks to the tunnel-boring technology developed by The Boring Company (Elon Musk).The Network →
The shuttles. The idea of truck and boat shuttles to connect the shores and cross natural obstacles.Shuttles →
Safety. First thoughts on the safety of the network and on the presence of patrollers.Safety →
Acoustics. The idea of damping the echo in the tunnels using textured concrete and acoustic panels fixed to the upper dome.Acoustics →
Comparing transport modes. Design of a weighting system to objectively compare the different modes of transport.Comparison →
The dimensions. Checking the tunnel's real dimensions.Dimensions →
The 3rd dimension. Using the 3D geometry of the tunnels to allow circulation without a single stop.The 3D advantage →
Phosphorescence. Using phosphorescence to keep the tunnels lit in the event of a major power outage.Phosphorescence →
Market study (1). A first market study, inspired by the cases of Montréal and Copenhagen.Study →
Simulating nature. The idea of recreating natural settings inside the tunnels to improve the user experience.Simulating nature →
Permitted vehicles. Defining the types of vehicles allowed to travel through the network.How It Works →
How it works. Drafting the tunnel's operating rules.How It Works →
Construction cost. A first genuine preliminary estimate of the construction cost.Construction →
Operating cost. A first genuine preliminary estimate of the operating cost.Operation →
Yield. Adopting the “yield” principle, as on a highway, to smooth traffic at the tunnel crossings.How It Works →
The route. Designing the route according to population density.The Network →
Underground stations. The idea of building underground stations.Stations →
Surface stations. The idea of surface entrance stations, a far less costly solution.Stations →
Market study (2). A new market study, this time based on the city of Oulu, Finland.Study →
Geothermal energy. Using geothermal energy to heat the stations.Geothermal →
The walkway. The idea of routing the pedestrian walkway under the bridge, to shield users from the rain and to remove the two other walkways.Shuttles →
Cables and fiber optics. The idea of running electrical cables and fiber-optic lines beneath the bike path.Other uses →
Drone delivery. The idea of running delivery drones beneath the bike path.Drone delivery →
A living project. This timeline keeps growing. Do you have an idea, a question or expertise to share? Write to us — the project moves forward thanks to everyone's contributions.