Norway has unveiled what is claimed to be the longest cycling tunnel specifically designed for that purpose. This three-kilometer (1.8-mile) tunnel, carved through the base of Løvstakken mountain, is located near the scenic city of Bergen, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its surrounding seven mountains and fjords.
Named Fyllingsdalstunnelen, the tunnel was officially opened on April 15 after four years of construction, which started in February 2019. The project, funded by the state, cost approximately $29 million, or 300 million Norwegian kroner. Camilla Einarsen Heggernes, a representative from the rail company Bybanen Utbygging, expressed pride in the tunnel, describing it as a cutting-edge achievement.
Cyclists can traverse the tunnel in under 10 minutes, while pedestrians can enjoy a 40-minute walk. To enhance the experience, the tunnel features art installations, varied lighting, and colors to help users navigate and maintain a sense of direction. A unique "sundial" installation at the midpoint displays the time, providing orientation in the otherwise straight tunnel, which only curves slightly at its entrances.
The tunnel accommodates both cyclists and pedestrians with two separate lanes: a 3.5-meter-wide lane for bikes and a 2.5-meter-wide lane for walkers and runners. The floor is covered with blue rubber, similar to an athletic track, to make the journey more comfortable than walking on asphalt.
The creation of this tunnel was a result of Bergen's second Bybanen tram line, which opened in November 2022. The tram line required an evacuation tunnel, which developers decided to adapt for multiple uses.
Bergen, Norway's second-largest city, is connected to Oslo by the 496-kilometer Bergensbanen railway. This route crosses the Hardangervidda, Europe's largest high mountain plateau, which served as a backdrop for scenes in "The Empire Strikes Back."
While Fyllingsdalstunnelen claims the title of the longest purpose-built cycling tunnel, the Snoqualmie Tunnel in Washington, USA, is longer at 3.6 kilometers. However, Snoqualmie was originally a train tunnel and now serves cyclists, runners, and walkers as part of the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail.
In a recent list of the world's most bike-friendly cities, six European cities were highlighted. Copenhagen boasts 385 kilometers of bike lanes, with the first established in 1892. Strasbourg offers around 6,000 bikes at self-service stations available around the clock. In Bern, Switzerland, cyclists can enjoy a thrilling downhill ride, taking a funicular to the top and coasting down without the challenge of an uphill climb.