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A Glow-In-the-Dark Bike Path

1 minute read
The first bike path in Poland, that in the night emits light, is now available for bikers. This innovative project was created near Lidzbark Warminski, on bike trail leading to the Wielochowskie lake. The glowing path doesn’t need any extra power supply – it is entirely self-sufficient, ecological and, which is the most important thing, increases safety of the bikers. The luminous path was designed by the TPA laboratory in Pruszków, Poland, and was built by the STRABAG company.TPA
By Julia Zorthian

To keep themselves and pedestrians safe, bikers need to see where they’re going–especially at night. But powering lights for a path can be complicated and expensive. One solution: this new 328-ft. (100-m) stretch in northern Poland, built by TPA Sp. z o.o. Its surface is embedded with special synthetic luminophores that absorb energy from sunlight and can glow for up to 10 hours afterward. The idea, explains Dr. Igor Ruttmar, who was in part inspired by stars in his daughter’s bedroom, is to “make the night sky down on the earth.” Although the technology is still nascent (it’s unclear how well the luminophores will hold up in winter), Ruttmar says it could apply to a range of surfaces, like landing pads for small aircraft.

–Julia Zorthian

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Write to Julia Zorthian at julia.zorthian@time.com