First cycle path made from recycled plastic

An experimental bicycle track made from recycled plastic has opened in the Netherlands as part of a project that could lead to more sustainable roads being rolled out across the country

Amsterdam 
NETHERLANDS
50km 30 miles

Zwolle: Cycle path will test PlasticRoad material developed by Dutch firms KWS and Wavin, in partnership with France’s Total

Rotterdam 
Could be first to adopt technology if tests are successful

Prefabrication
Road sections made in factory and transported to site. Lightweight modules can be lifted into place, or removed and recycled

Surface: Fine gravel makes road more stiff and protects against UV radiation

Plastic: 70 percent recycled, remainder from polypropylene – track contains recycled plastic equivalent to more than 218,000 plastic cups

Sensors
Fitted to monitor performance of road – including temperature, number of bike passages, and durability

Temperature range -40°C to 80°C

Hollow interior allows for drainage channels, and gas and electricity conduits

Inventors claim plastic roads will last two-to- three times longer than conventional roads and be quicker to install, with fewer CO2 emissions

2.4m
Test track 30m
3m
Bed of sand


Sources: KWS, PlasticRoad, The Economist, Verkeer in Beeld      © GRAPHIC NEWS