Another amazing solar roof cycling path opens, this time in India

A solar roof cycling path is a win on so many levels: providing shade for bike commuters on a warming planet along with much-needed safe cycling infrastructure so more people will choose sustainable transportation not to mention creating a steady stream of green energy. The trifecta.

The construction of a sustainable solar roof cycling path around Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road (ORR) is nearing completion, with an anticipated inauguration in the first week of September. Named Healthway, this 23-kilometer three-lane track has two stretches — 8.5 kilometers from Nanakramguda to Telangana State Police Academy (TSPA) and 14.5 kilometers from Kollur to Narsingi— converging at Narsingi Junction.

Inspired by the South Korean bike highway with solar panels, the aim is to ensure a better experience for cyclists. There will be cycle rentals, bike repair stations at access points, food trucks, and car parking where people can park their vehicles and spend time as a family.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) is setting up a 23 km long eco-friendly solar cycle track with world-class standards near the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR).

Erik Solheim, former Norwegian minister and renowned environmentalist, commended Telangana’s IT and Industries Minister, K T Rama Rao, for his initiative in constructing a solar roof cycling track near Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road. During his official visit to Hyderabad, Solheim took a trial run on the track (pictured above) alongside Arvind Kumar, Special Chief Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department and posted about it on social media.

The 23-kilometer, three-lane cycle path will connect Nanakramguda to the Telangana State Police Academy, with an additional 14.5-kilometer stretch from Kollur to Narsingi. The track features various amenities, including parking spaces, security cameras, bike docking and rental stations, food courts, water fountains, restrooms, and basic bicycle repair shops. Notably, solar roof panels will provide separation from main traffic, enhance safety, offer protection from the elements, and generate sustainable energy.

The inspiration for the project is a remarkable 5.5-mile solar panel-lined bike path in South Korea that sits at the center of an eight-lane highway, connecting Daejeon and Sejong cities. This innovative project, initiated in 2014, was designed to combine clean energy generation with exercise opportunities.