Civil & Industry
References

Since 14 June 2019 you’re able to cycle through the trees at cycling junction 272 in Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium. Smulders built a unique bicycle bridge between the pines. Cyclist ride 700 metres along the bridge – a double circle 100 metres in diameter – that rises gradually (gradient of 3-4%) to a height of 10 metres before then descending again at the same gradient, giving cyclist and walkers a sensational 360° experience.

The new bicycle bridge sits on a structure of 449 unique columns made of weathered steel to symbolize the trunks of the fir trees. By using that weathered steel, the bicycle bridge detracts as little as possible from the surrounding nature in terms of appearance, construction and materials.

Project data

• Client: Toerisme Limburg
• Weight: 450 ton weathered steel
• Length: 700 meter