"I can't change the fact that my paintings don't sell. But the time will come when people will recognize that they are worth more than the value of the paints used in the picture."
- Vincent Van Gogh
In the Netherland, Studio Roosegaarde unveiled the Van
Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path in 2014, which is an enchanting kilometer-long bike path
that is inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” The path is decorated
with special paint that illuminates after dark with the assistance of LED lights powered by solar panels. This is the second of Studio Roosegaarde’s five
Smart Highway projects. The purpose of the Smart Highway projects are to develop creative road
networks that are safe for cyclist and pedestrians alike, as well as the natural
environment. Beyond the safety implications and environmentally friendly aspects these projects present to the community, this also can be an extraordinary
motivator to get communities to be more active and less auto-dependent.
As more and more communities explore the various alternative modes of
transportation, it would be curious to see what the implications and impacts
decorated bike paths have on society. Would more people be inclined to ride
bikes or walk rather than drive if there was an experience to be had? Would
congestion and other issues revolving around auto-dependency lessen if there more paths existed that created a fun experience? Would local governments
or transit authorities be willing to invest in illuminated pathways throughout
the city if they encourage
folks to use the automobile less?
I cannot help but wonder about the safety implications that paths such as the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path might have on motorists. Would these pathways add to the number of distractions driver’s already face at any given moment when driving down the road? Would vehicular fatalities or injuries increase in areas where illuminated art inspired paths were present? I recognize that planning for the number of distractions a driver might encounter at any given moment might be ludicrous, but it is important to consider the implications that illuminated pathways might have in regards to vehicle safety.
I cannot help but wonder about the safety implications that paths such as the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path might have on motorists. Would these pathways add to the number of distractions driver’s already face at any given moment when driving down the road? Would vehicular fatalities or injuries increase in areas where illuminated art inspired paths were present? I recognize that planning for the number of distractions a driver might encounter at any given moment might be ludicrous, but it is important to consider the implications that illuminated pathways might have in regards to vehicle safety.
Personally, I feel that illuminated pathways are a brilliant idea that could attract people to certain places and transform the way people interact within spaces.
Check out more of Studio Roosegaarde's Smart Highway projects here.
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