Fietsklim Foundation and ZUS unveil design for artificial climb

Fietsklim Foundation and ZUS unveil design for artificial climb

6 feb. 2023  •  Noticias  •  By Robert Muis

Foundation Fietsklim presents the design of the Fietsklim, a construction designed to make climbing possible for sporty cyclists in the Randstad. The design was made by ZUS [Zones Urbaines Sensibles] in collaboration with Zonneveld engineers and Van Hattum en Blankevoort.

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Foundation Fietsklim Zoetermeer wants to offer sporty cyclists in the flat west of the country a climb that can compete with the Posbank or the Cauberg. It has already considered a location near Zoetermeer's indoor ski slope. The outcome of a recent technical feasibility study is positive, the foundation reports.

The ascent, as now designed by the Rotterdam-based firm ZUS, leads through an artificial hill and then a wooden structure to a height of 70 meters. This design sought to achieve maximum ascent in the smallest possible area. In addition, the aim was to keep costs as low as possible.

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Construction

Various construction systems were examined during the feasibility study, says Stichting Fietsklim. For sustainability reasons, a wooden construction was chosen. According to the foundation, the wooden construction as currently designed retains about 1,800 tons of CO2. In addition, the construction is demountable and the wood can be reused in various ways.

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The final design was inspired in part by the towers of roller coasters. The bike path consists of bridge elements that lie from tower to tower. This results in efficient use of materials, low weight and limited foundation pressure.

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An additional advantage is that such a construction catches little wind. Two loops circle up and down over the wooden profiles, crossing each other at the heart of the structure.

The Bicycle Climb was designed with nature and landscape in mind, the foundation further states. "The design is a nature composition that fits the Randstad, where visitor-friendly nature, active forms of recreation and biodiversity regularly come together." In addition, the Bicycle Climb creates opportunities for new types of breeding habitat.

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Continued

Now that the foundation knows the climb is realizable, it wants to focus on funding. The cost of the Bicycle Climb is estimated at about €9 million. "By comparison, the start of the Tour of Spain in the Netherlands last August cost €15 million for four days of cycling festivities." You would enjoy the Fietsklim in Zoetermeer for longer, the foundation wants to say.

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