Cycling through a painting

The Van Gogh-Roosegaarde bicycle path is the most innovative and artistic bicycle path in the Netherlands. The 600-metre-long path runs past the place where Vincent van Gogh lived from 1883 to 1885. The bicycle path, designed by Daan Roosegaarde, consists of thousands of tiny, luminous stones and is inspired by the famous Van Gogh painting ‘Starry Night’.

Heijmans and Studio Roosegaarde have translated a 600-metre-long section of the 335-km-long Van Gogh cycle route into a contemporary design. The bicycle path section has been given a new layer of asphalt, scattered with thousands of luminous stones. Innovative technology enables them to charge during the day and emit light in the evening.

The luminous stones are formed in a pattern inspired by the famous painting ‘Starry Night’ (1889). The painting depicts a night scene with yellow stars above a small hilly town. People experience a ride across the bicycle path as if they are cycling through the ‘Starry Night’.

Nature
The bicycle path lighting is as subtle as possible to ensure minimal intrusion on the habitat of animals. To this purpose the intensity of the light giving stones has been adapted. By incorporating lighting into the bicycle path itself, additional street lighting is unnecessary.

Together with Studio Roosegaarde, Heijmans is giving consideration to the Dutch landscape in a new way. Light, energy and interaction playing an important role in this process. This innovative cycle path and the development of Glowing Lines are examples of how innovation and design go hand in hand with culture and recreation.
Collaboration
The Van Gogh-Roosegaarde bicycle path is part of a collaboration between the Province of North Brabant, municipality of Eindhoven, Van Gogh Brabant, VisitBrabant, Eindhoven 365 and Routebureau Brabant. The province is accelerating the improvement of nature and recreation around ‘de Ruit’ by supporting projects such as this artistic bicycle path.