Cycling through a Van Gogh painting

Just imagine, you’re out on your bike and it’s getting late. The light is fading. Suddenly the bicycle path ahead of you is sparkling and you’re riding over twinkling stars. Is my imagination getting better of me? No, in 2014 Holland is to get exactly this: the world’s first glow-in-the-dark cycle path inspired by Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night.

The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh. Photo © [urlb=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Van_Gogh_-_Starry_Night_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg?uselang=nl]Wikicommons[/urlb]

Van Gogh Cycle Route - cycling through a painting

The world’s first glow-in-the-dark cycle path is to be part of the 335-km long Van Gogh Cycle Route, which was opened earlier this year. The route takes you to locations that were important to Vincent van Gogh, such as the old watermill in Neunen which features on one of his paintings from 1884. The design of the cycle path is by artist Daan Roosegaarde, who wanted to recreate a modern interpretation of Van Gogh.

“We want to evoke the same feeling as Van Gogh’s work does, with today’s innovation and imagination. We scatter the light stones in a pattern that is inspired by The Starry Night. People should get the feeling they’re cycling through the painting.”

How does it work?

The glow-in-the-dark bicycle path uses the light-emitting techniques of the Smart Highway. The light stones will charge during the day and emit light during the evening. The concept is explained in the video below. It all sounds quite magical. Hopefully the Van Gogh inspired cycle path will live up to expectation.

Update November 2014

The Starry Night cycle path has now been opened. Watch this video to find out what it's like to cycle through a Van Gogh painting.

Also see:

• Van Gogh Cycle Route
• Solar cycle paths - the way forward?