It was easy to dismiss the straddle bus from China when the idea first emerged, but the concept has now become reality in the form of a full-scale working prototype. The transit elevated TEB-1 straddle bus was put through its paces last week on a test road in Qinhuangdao, a demonstration which illustrated how cars are able to pass beneath it.
The straddle bus is a radical vehicle that can pass over traffic jams and frees up road space for cyclists.
Bus lanes provide a valuable refuge for cyclists on urban streets, but in London they have become so clogged with motorised vehicles that bicycles can find themselves in a near-constant state of overtaking, or being overtaken. The answer could lie with this radical new straddle bus from China. The spacious interior would be a welcome change for passengers who currently endure overcrowded services during rush hour; each straddle bus is 22 metres long, 7.8 metres wide and can carry 300 passengers.
Straddle Bus
China is now the largest car market on earth and the threat of complete gridlock prompted designers there to come up with a design of electric bus that straddles existing roads, thereby allowing it to be unaffected by congestion and other vehicles up to 2 metres in height to pass underneath even when it is stationary.
In a bid to improve the environmental performance of their vehicles, London bus companies are introducing hybrid technology and experimenting with fuel cell designs, but the straddle bus eliminates the problems of pollution and congestion associated with diesel-powered vehicles.
The straddle bus from China has already had interest from cities in France and Argentina. The remarkable vehicle would prove troublesome if not impossible to install on London’s narrow and winding streets, but the way we travel in future is likely to make the most of highly automated systems. Personal rapid transit technology (PRT) involves networks of automated ‘pod cars’ that offer on-demand, non-stop transport using small vehicles that run on specially-built tracks. The technology combines the environmental advantages of public transport with the privacy and flexibility of car travel. It has the potential to be highly efficient because it operates only when needed; in theory it could eliminate the need for cars and some mass transit systems altogether.
Environmentally friendly cycle insurance
On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. How much excess you will be charged is just one of the things that varies wildly between providers. Another is so called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use this term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it. Read our insider guide to cycle insurance.
Furthermore, every cycle insurance policy you buy from us helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner, safer transport future.
ETA cycle insurance has a low standard excess of 5% (minimum £25) and offers a new-for-old for life – however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model.
For 25 years we have been providing straightforward, affordable bicycle insurance. Whether you use your bike to commute, shop, race or amble in the park, ETA Cycle Insurance has you covered. We never devalue bikes no matter their age, allow you to buy your replacement bike wherever you like, replace stolen quick release components and handle claims in-house.
The Good Shopping Guide voted us Britain’s most ethical insurance company 2016.
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