Traffic regulations expressly prohibit cycling on highways in most countries, including Spain. However, in South Korea they have found an innovative and sustainable way to integrate cyclists into this type of high-speed road. And they have done so taking into account both safety and respect for the environment.
On the highway that connects the cities of Daejeon and Sejong, they have built a bike lane in the median, right in the space that separates the two directions of traffic. In this way, cyclists can travel between cities without worrying about motorized traffic. This infrastructure is especially useful for those who use their road bikes as an efficient means of transport between urban centers, since it offers a straight, fast, and protected route.
But the most interesting thing about this bike lane is not just its location, but its design: it is covered by solar panels along the entire route. This cover serves a dual function: it protects cyclists from rain, sun, and other weather conditions, and at the same time generates electricity in a clean and eco-friendly way, contributing to the country's energy sustainability.
Although this type of solution is especially designed for urban and road cycling, it also represents an inspiration for the future development of safe and sustainable routes for mountain bike enthusiasts, who could benefit from this type of adapted infrastructure in interurban areas, especially to access trails or natural parks from urban environments.
This South Korean example shows that with willpower and intelligent design it is possible to integrate the bicycle into the heart of modern mobility, benefiting both urban cyclists and those who train or travel on road bikes and mountain bikes.