Dutch towns may heat cycle lanes

Towns in Holland could heat cycle lanes to encourage greater use of bicycles in winter.

The scheme proposes to use geo-thermal energy to prevent ice forming on cycle lanes, reports the BBC.

The idea has been provisionally costed at the equivalent of between £26,000 and £52,000 per mile.

The man behind the proposal, Marcel Boerefijn, said there would be savings from fewer accidents, less salt needed to grit roads and reduced car expenses.

Mr Boerefijn said it was possible that the final net cost would be less than putting straw down on the paths.

Arien de Jong, a spokeswoman for the Dutch Cyclists Unions said: "We are very excited about the heated paths, because they could prevent so much misery.

"If cycle lanes are frozen over for four weeks, that results in about 7,000 more accidents involving cyclists. So of course we welcome all ideas to improve road safety for cyclists."

Zutphen is carrying out a preliminary assessment before a feasibility study next year. Utrecht is also considering the scheme.