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John Baker's Blog

Reflections of a working writer and reader

The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. George Bernard Shaw

Cycle Paths - cooled and shaded

From an article in Washcycle:
cooling with ground water

I bike along the NE Branch Trail which, for large sections, is completely devoid of tree cover. In the summer it can get quite stifling (among other problems) so naturally I got jealous when I found out about Qatar’s planned cooled bike path. It has a shaded canopy and misters.
Dubai is also developing a bike plan and they may use the same bike path plan.
Knowing a little bit about how the Sheik of Dubai gets things done, it will probably be the “best bike path system in the world.” I hope he takes such pride in it.
Tree cover is far better in my opinion, and this seems excessive; but after biking around Phoenix all last summer I can see how in a hot, dry climate it’s probably necessary (though not here in DC).

Fortunately, when you’ve got a pannier full of oil money, 115 degree daytime temperatures are no big deal. The Emir hired the Rand Corporation and Rand proposed a 30 kilometer shaded, solar-powered, mist-cooled bike path. The Emir gave the green light and with no cumbersome democratic processes to get in the way the project sailed through to approval.

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1 response to “Cycle Paths - cooled and shaded”

  1. § Kudzu Fire on June 14th, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    Well I hope they enjoy all that oil money we in the west pay them with in good health–as long they don’t give any to terrorists, I am cool with their bikes or whatever

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