THE BICYCLE EXPRESSWAY  SYSTEM - A VIABLE URBAN TRANSPORTATION SOLUTION  


AUTHOR: 	    JOSEPH ADLER, Master Of Engineering, P.Eng.
ORGANIZATION: BICYCLE EXPRESSWAY SYSTEMS CO.

ADDRESS:	    33 ORCHARD VIEW BLVD. #1805, TORONTO, ONT., CANADA, M4R 2E9
TEL: (416) 487-1066
FAX: (416) 481-7298


ABSTRACT

The concept of the Bicycle Expressway System was developed by Joseph
Adler who has been in chronological order, an enthusiast cyclist, a
professional engineer and a resident of Toronto. These three assets
brought him to the idea of improving in a radical and well engineered
way, cycling as a means of safe and convenient mass transportation in
Toronto, Canada. However, this concept is applicable for any other
city in the world facing traffic congestion and air pollution
problems. With proper local adjustments, a tremendous improvement in
the quality of life and enormous material advantages can be obtained. 

The Bicycle Expressway System represents an additional transportation
facility provided exclusively for bicycles and serving all the city
area, in any weather or topographic conditions. Its purpose is to
create excellent conditions for utilitarian and recreational cycling
and thus to give all the residents a real choice and the incentive for
replacing the use of the car, or the often inconvenient public
transport, by the use of the bicycle in most of their daily trips. 

The basic philosophy of this concept is the construction of a network
of expressways for bicycles only, elevated at minimum 5 meters (15
ft.) above the street level, covered, at level or with downhill slopes
only, the uphill differences in elevation being taken by
escalators. Because there is always one way of traveling and no
intersections at the same level, no stop signs or stop lights are
necessary and a collision accident within the system is virtually
impossible. In these conditions a non stop bicycle ride with maximal
safe speed will be possible regardless of the traffic jams at the
street level. A combination of bicycle expressways and other means of
transportation is perfectly possible and desirable. This will optimize
the efficiency of the urban transportation in general. 

Conceived in this way, the Bicycle Expressway System provides complete
separation from the motorized and pedestrian traffic, complete safety
and full protection against bad weather year round and eliminates the
need of strenuous and slow uphill pedaling. With the proposed system
in place, the bicycle will become the safest, cheapest, healthiest and
the fastest door to door , very convenient means of urban
transportation. Resting, shopping and parking facilities for thousands
of bicycles will be also provided without taking any space from the
street level. 

The return period of the required investment is very short because the
cost of the system including operation and maintenance is very low and
cannot be challenged by any other transportation alternative with the
same traffic capacity. Additional invaluable assets of the proposed
system are the dramatic reduction in the rate of urban traffic
accidents, the great positive environmental impact by significantly
reducing the air and noise pollution, the reduction of the
transportation cost and wasted time and other positive social and
material advantages. 

The concept received wide support from prominent personalities and
prestigious organizations in Canada and abroad, was commended by
leading newspapers and magazines, major Radio and TV stations and was
presented at International Conferences in Colorado Springs-USA, Rio de
Janeiro-Brazil , Beijing-China, Fremantle-Australia, Havana-Cuba,
Puebla-Mexico. 

After getting the official agreement in principle from the Government
of Jamaica for a Bicycle Expressway System in the capital city of
Kingston and from the local authorities in Philippines for the City of
Batangas and capital City of Manila, we are searching for visionary
investors to implement a Pilot Project as a World Showcase for this
unique, innovative and sustainable concept.