Xiamen was challenged by escalating traffic congestion and pollution, and therefore grappled with the need for an innovative and practical solution to enhance transportation while creating a greener and more livable city environment. Xiamen Bicycle Skyway was developed as a response, offering a safe and enjoyable commuting experience for citizens, while bringing new life to an otherwise dead part of the city.

The bicycle bridge is 8-kilometres long and runs along and underneath the city’s existing overhead BRT skyway in the central part of the city. It covers the city’s five major residential areas and three business centers. There are 11 entries to the path, which connects with 11 bus stations and two subway stations. Thereby enhancing mobility, connectivity and accessibility between people in Xiamen as it integrates pedestrian bridges, ramps, roundabouts, bicycle parking, bicycle service pavilions and points of interest. 

Becoming the world’s longest bicycle bridge and China’s first suspended bicycle path on raised platforms, it is a safe experience to the citizens in Xiamen and an answer to the increased traffic congestion and pollution. 

The project has received great international media publicity and made it to the top in Danish Design Award 2019. As the winner of the new category, Liveable Cities, the solution is recognized as “having a positive effect on the city environment and ecology”. 

The Skyway involves Danish architects reviving a part of Chinese daily life – cycling culture – in a new context. It is an overall great example of how Danish design DNA can be adapted into a different local fabric.