No doubt cycling is adapting to modern world, or does modernity adapts to cycling? Well, cyclist infrastructure evolves in surprising ways, as the Chapultepec intelligent bike path demonstrates.
Why is it intelligent? Does it think by itself? What can it do? These are some questions you may be asking. If you want to know the answer, join us in this journey.
Besides your bike, prepare your notes because this will be an educational ride.
Chapultepec intelligent bike path, what is that?
Chapultepec intelligent bike path as its name mentions, is located on the greener lung of Mexico City (CDMX). It’s possible to visit it on the second section of Chapultepec park.
Inaugurated on 2021 by CDMX Government, and through Environment Ministry (SEDEMA, by its Spanish abbreviation) and Ministry of Mobility (SEMOVI).
It’s a project that collaborates with PlasticRoad and Orbia (BMV: Orbia), companies focused on technology, infrastructure and sustainable mobility.
What is it made of?
This bike path represents a great advance in environmental care, and at the same time creates a new cyclist infrastructure.
This is made of 2204 lbs. of plastic residuals, which is equivalent to ½ million of plastic bottle caps, in other words, the material that covers the path is 100% recycled plastic.
Designed with this material that not only take care of environment, but does the same with streets and properties.
What can do and why is it intelligent?
When we say this bike path at Chapultepec is intelligent, we don’t refer that it thinks by itself or that will be able to solve math or existential problems. In this case, the technology that is built with, the design and properties this have, led to receive this name.
The construction with plastic residuals, ease adapt to different climate conditions. The PlasticRoad allows to store water temporarily and its drainage.
In rainy season is ideal to store water temporarily and avoid floods on zone due doesn’t allow rain to infiltrate by underground. In short, it has its own drainage system.
Thanks to that, reduce the negative impact of drought period on the area. Likewise, its durability and minimum maintenance allow to reduce emissions up to a 72% during its life span, in comparison with traditional road structures.
Into the bargain, this bike path integrates technology of sensors to monitor weather and use of surface. From there can adapt to different climate conditions.
Pioneer in Latin America
Even though Chapultepec intelligent bike path is the third of this type developed by Plastic Road, is the first of this class installed in Latin America.
“Our third pilot, now placed in Mexico is the opportunity to test our product under different climate conditions that will provide us important information to explore international markers in the future, outside our origin country, Netherlands”, mentioned Erick Kievit, managing director of PlasticRoad.
The first intelligent bike path of this type has a 98 ft length and was launched on September of 2028 in Zwolle, the second in Steenwijkerland; both in Netherlands.
Where to visit the Chapultepec intelligent bike path?
If you’re thinking about going to Chapultepec Park, you can find it inside of the circuit Pista el Sope, at the level of the coffee shop, between bike parking and City Café Natural El Sope.
