IllumiLane

IllumiLane is an interactive light up bike and walk way that integrates art into active transportation. Its purpose is to promote walking and cycling as safe, fun, and practical transportation choices, especially at night.

With the help of Hfour, the team built a 50 metre stretch of lights that uses pressure sensors to light up the cyclist path at their speed. If the cyclist rides below 20 km/h, they’re rewarded with a pulse of rainbow lights ahead of them. If the cyclist rides faster than 20 km/h, the lights flash red as a warning to slow down. Meanwhile, the pedestrian pathway lights up in a constant pattern of brightly coloured lights. Ultimately, IllumiLane improves visibility, safety, and attractiveness of the path at night.

The project successfully achieved these outcomes:

• Promote walking and cycling as fun, practical, and healthy transportation choices
• Support a positive cyclist-pedestrian relationship
• Integrate art into active transportation infrastructure
• Encourage interaction with public art at night

Many cyclists returned to re-ride the pathway and 90% of survey respondents wanted to see the project repeated or made permanent and provided positive feedback for future implementation. The team’s stewardship proposal suggests the City of Vancouver install IllumiLane permanently along the seawall at Stanley Park or False Creek, and for other organizations to recreate IllumiLane for events.