The Dutch want to build a 70-metre-tall bike mountain: here’s what it will look like

Ever wanted a challenge when it comes to biking? No? Well, this soon-to-be 70-metre-high bicycle mountain will surely get your legs on fire. 🔥

Stichting Fietslim (Bicycle Climb Foundation) has presented a thigh-breaking design for a bicycle climb in Zoetermeer, next to the SnowWorld ski slope.

Can this project be turned into a reality due to technical and financial feasibility? AD reports yes!

Behind the idea

The Stichting Fietskilm was founded in 2020 by three cycling enthusiasts who were looking for more challenging cycle paths. 

Cyclists in the Randstad were climbing considerable slopes like the Cauberg, Posbank, or VAM mountain, but these weren’t exactly in the neighbourhood. That’s where the Stichting Fietsklim came in. 🚵

Render-of-manmade-bike-mountain-ZUS-Netherlands
The mountain will consist of spiralling cycle paths, similar to this. Image: Zones Urbaines Sensibles/Supplied.

After some brainstorming, they proposed a spiralling cycle path, towering over SnowWorld’s high construction. 

READ MORE | 19 things the Dutch did to make cycling easy and attractive

Board member of the Fietsklim foundation, Steven Hauwerts, stated to AD that “there is a lot of passion in this project. Besides the fact that we would like to offer a sporting challenge for cyclists and hikers, we also see this project as a larger whole. We are going to build this climb on a flat part in the Netherlands.”

The design 

The design is inspired by the tower of roller coasters by the architectural firm Zones Urbanise Sensibles (ZUS). 

Render-of-manmade-cycle-mountain-Netherlands
It’s certainly giving roller coaster. Image: Zones Urbaines Sensibles/Supplied.

While the foundation first wanted to use the high construction of SnowWorld, the new design for Bicycle Climb is now separate from it to “keep our distance on the safe side,” reports Hauwaerts. 

READ MORE | 7 scenic bike paths in the Netherlands

The infrastructure will be located in the middle of the Randstad, with the goal to design the Bicycle Climb with the Buytenpark in mind, meaning lots of trees, wood, and bird boxes for all nature lovers. 🐦 🌳

Next step? Construction will cost about €9 million. “Our next assignment is to look for one or a few investors. We want the club to be as accessible as possible,” tells Hauwaerts to AD. 

What do you think about this bicycle climb, would you try it? Tell us in the comments below! 

Francesca Burbano
Francesca Burbanohttps://burbanofrancesca.journoportfolio.com
Francesca is an international at heart but moved to the Netherlands to get her degree in media and communication. While she's not a big fan of the cold weather and biking (for good reason — she's been hit by bikes three times already), she fell in love with the canals, bitterballen, and the 'gezelligheid' of Dutch culture. When she's not writing, you'll find her reading thriller books, hitting her personal records at the gym, and cuddling up with her Ragdoll cat.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Many owls, kestrels and buzzards live in that rea, they will destroy their habitat to build a “mountain” with trees for “all nature lovers” where none of these birds will get close to anymore bc of the presence of many cyclists and people around. Perfect plan… :thumbs_up:

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