Bicycle enthusiasts are in for a mesmerizing treat with a luminous, glow-in-the-dark bike path that shimmers in a captivating blue hue during the night. This extraordinary cycling trail can be found in the quaint rural town of Lidzbark Warminski. Fueled by solar power during the day, it’s a recent addition to a more extensive recreational path leading to the picturesque Wielochowskie Lake. This enchanting pathway, reminiscent of a scene from a fairy tale, is the brainchild of the European engineering firm TPA sp. z o.o., dedicated to enhancing safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
The magic of this pathway lies in the synthetic particles it incorporates, known as luminophores. These particles absorb solar energy during daylight hours and release it at night, casting a soft, soothing light for up to ten hours.
Igor Ruttmar, the President of TPA, sheds light on the project, stating, “The material we used for the track emits light for over ten hours. This means the road can remain aglow throughout the entire night and recharge with sunlight the following day.”
Image Credit: inhabitat
Beyond its sheer beauty, the pathway serves a vital function by ensuring the safety of cyclists and pedestrians at night. Being powered entirely by solar energy, it is also a highly eco-friendly endeavor.
Igor elucidates, “We hope that the luminous bicycle path will contribute to averting bicycle and pedestrian accidents during the nighttime, a prevalent issue in Poland, especially in the more remote, poorly lit areas far from the cities.”
The brilliant blue hue of the path has been thoughtfully chosen to harmonize with the stunning natural surroundings.
“It radiates a vivid, azure blue, which perfectly complements the dark forests and rivers at night. This luminous spectacle is a splendid addition to the region’s enchanting natural features, including lakes, rolling hills, and idyllic countryside,” Igor expresses.
Currently, only a section measuring 328 feet of the bike path is illuminated during the night. The vision is to extend this radiant path in the future.
“We want to evaluate the performance of this initial segment, observe how it fares during the winter, and then develop a plan to make it longer,” Igor reveals.
While several other European companies have explored similar concepts, none have managed to devise an eco-friendly solution on par with TPA’s illuminated bike path. In 2014, a Dutch designer created a “Starry Night” bike trail in Eindhoven, paying homage to the town’s famous former resident, Vincent Van Gogh. Back in 2013, a UK-based company called Pro-Teq Surfacing coated 1,614 square feet of a path at Christ’s Pieces Park in Cambridge, England, with a luminous coating named “Starpath” to light up the way at night.
For a firsthand look at this enchanting glow-in-the-dark pathway, be sure to watch the accompanying video showcasing its nighttime radiance.
