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And on my bike I long to see Pedal-pushers at a mellow pace With directions simple to trace, coruscate cadence, Follow our stars under a painted sky, give us a beaming backie, glittering granny gearing, It flies Sideways through time It's an electric line, phosphorescent pedalling, Punctured bicycle On a hillside desolate, There are 'bright lights’ In the dazzling eyes Of beautiful Daisy Bell, twinkling tandem
A small phenomenon is occurring here and there around the world, solar-powered, glow-in-the-dark cycle paths. It’s a smart idea and looks very beautiful going off the videos and photographs. During the day the bright blue effort looks a tad garish to me mind you. There’s one in Poland, another in Amsterdam and a third has been rolled out in the UK in Cambridge. The reason the UK gets the ok is because parks and public walkways through green areas are having their lamp posts and other types of electric lighting removed to save money. So less a terribly noble nod to the arts or safelty, more a pretty kick up the bum. For, light as they are, the paths aren’t truly bright enough to solely ensure the safety of either cyclists or walkers. If this scheme were being employed with sufficient extra soft lighting, or perhaps stretched of one then the other, then aplaud esme would, but the UK government is as tight as a gnat’s chuff, and so penny pinching that it will have the populace lighting their own homes by means of dynamo’s attached to unicycles at this rate. And charge them for the privelige no doubt!
But sod the rotters – onto the aesthetics – the Amsterdam path is dedicated to Van Gogh and in a ‘Starry Night’ style and by the Gods tis a fine effort! Esme likes them all mind you and is keen to try one out.
The UK version
It doesnt stop at foot/cycle paths mind you. Oh no. The same people behind the Dutch project are trying to raise funds for, would you believe . . . glow in the dark trees! Really. Not by painting them, but by crossing their dna with jellyfishs’s (jellyfishes? Jelly-fish’s/Jellifi/Jellifimous? – wrinkles brow) that are luminescent. The main problem with this is the idea that believing you can control such a thing as the biology of plant-life. Within a short few years there’s every chance you’d not be able to look out into the darkness that is your back garden at midnight without seeing the tree and bush version of Blackpool illuminations (substitute ‘a fairground’ here if you know not of Blackpool and its many exotic treats).
Leave the jelly fish alone man!! Let alone the damn trees. Humans. I kid you not, such a bunch of utter short-sighted morons as I have ever come across throughout all universes and dimensions.
“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.” – Albert Einstein
Esme's Cloud 
I agree with you, let nature alone, no yellyfish trees, please.
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Here, here! Sheesh.
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I love the idea of glow-in-the-dark bicycle lanes. I’d love to see Toronto introduce them, I think they would increase safety (the number of cyclist fatalities over the last year has increased dramatically) and I think they would look cool. I think all things glow-in-the-dark or bioluminescent are cool. Thanks for brightening my cloudy day. Peace, Harlon
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You’re most welcome Harlon. I love a bit of glow-in-the-dark myself of an evening. When I travelled to a remote island in Thailand (micro-poetry for you there), I recall perching on the end of a small wooden dock not long after midnight and dangling my feet into the deep black water; suddenly a shoal of illuminated tiny fish appeared and darted around my tootsies in the most delightful of dances – patterns of pure pleasure for the eye they were and though I may forget a great deal eventually, something tells me that memory will always remain just as bright as ever. It was breathtaking stuff, nature at its most brilliant and beautiful, putting on a stunning show for one. Esme.
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“Leave the jelly fish alone man!! Let alone the damn trees. Humans. I kid you not, such a bunch of utter short-sighted morons as I have ever come across throughout all universes and dimensions.”
Ditto!
Love the quote.
Thanks for sharing the enlightenment.
Peace, courage, and illumination.
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Thanks for coming to find it Peter!
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I like the idea I just wish it was a little brighter to be safer. Hugs
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In some countries it will be fine I’m sure, and what an idea to have! Follow the blue and green brick road, very ‘OZ’ methinks. I shall go and see one for myself next year methinks. – nods
Thank you for the visit Scottie. – smiles
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I thank you, I wouldn’t have know of this had you not posted of it. It makes me think of other grand ways it could be used. Just the idea of walking peacefully with my husband on a path lighted by it self alone, in amazing colors and patterns, is a wonderful thought. To share with each other the delight of seeing the different patterns and colors. Again grand. Hugs
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How perfect does that sound? Marvellous. Every city should have one!
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What a spanking good idea!
Faith in humanity, Restored.
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I agree, though in this case faith is restored with one hand for the paths and snatched right back away again as they meddle with the trees!
‘Spanking’ eh?! Have you been spending some time with Hariod by any chance?
Hahahahaha.
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Thank you Sir, may I have another 🙂
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A contented spanking it was too I’ll bet sir. – winks slowly
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I’m thinking that this would work marvellously out in the nature reserves on the Somerset Levels, where I live, covering the walkways that span sections of the fenlands, and yet without creating any light pollution. I love the countryside at night, and at the moment can only venture out there on Full Moons, as a torch just attracts insects. This idea would grant safe passage whilst enabling one to appreciate the sounds, smells and magical atmosphere of the place at nightfall. That’s when all the imps appear out there, you know. 🙂
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It would be quite stunning I’m sure. How I envy your proximity to such a beautiful place H. The following came to mind as I imagined the place. ❤
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That’s beautifully atmospheric, Esme, and is somewhat evocative of times I’ve been caught out in nature as rain began to fall. It used to happen quite often when I lived out on the North Cornwall coast, and Nellie and I would take shelter under trees, or perhaps in a cave at the shoreline, and silently listen to the rainfall. Nellie was a funny little thing, born to be a rough ‘n tough Border Collie yet not being able to abide a drop of rain on her snout. I turned her into a Southern Softie, just like me. Thankyou so much for the thoughtful video, and for the lovely sentiment. H ❤
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You’re very welcome H, I’m so glad you liked it. There’s much beauty to be found in the rain, and I can picture Nellie avoiding a soaking well as Rosie is just the same and it often has me smiling, though Lardy positively revelled in getting wet and mucky. I’m somewhat nesh too, so it isn’t all Southern. Then again, maybe we just all feel the rain in our bones and like to keep them dry. I know I can raise a hand there.
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We live down river from the loading points for coal barges, it’s the unusual drive over the Ohio when those big red monsters do not appear below. I lived in Germany for a year and a half in the earliest of the 70’s and got Germanized it seems. Taking on their language to full fluency, and being away from the other side of the Atlantic resulted in a culture shock that is still going on. Languages of the “other” ground me somehow
Lisa, the other part of the “we” is also smitten with solar roadways, so similar to those bike paths I am going to say.
So say I have!
Have a great Friday on that cloud 🙂
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And very pleased I am to have you say so sir! Language is so curious and beautiful, and freaky too. – laughs
Thank you for the visit and those words too Bill, you and Lisa have a fab weekend.
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Of course a glow in the dark Pol Pot statue would be take pride of place in any public garden (as an inspiration to sociopaths–and heaven knows we need more of them). Hey, look at that solar Pol Pot. Nice. Where’s Lucrezia Borgia and her solar bust?
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Goes without saying, though if anyone should you’re the man Prospero!
“Lucretia Borgia and her solar bust” – Good name for a band that. Or a bust of Lucretia Borgia that lights up. Either works for me. – nods
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And what fine music it would be!
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It is absolutely stunning. I certainly hope that safety remains a concern though and the lights are made a little brighter in the UK.
On the other side of things. I’ll admit that the sci fi part of me would love glowing trees. That being said if they became invasive or something and all trees became glowing that would be bad… And a fair amount of light pollution too. There is value to the dark too.
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It is, but we must have the dark, we truly must. We could end up with drinking water that’s illuminous and then before you know it we’ll be it up ourselves all night! Now there’s an idea for a story eh? – winks
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Secretly I would love to be in a world full of bioluminscent creatures…but not bad enough to force it on the world. I just hope to discover such a world on another planet. lol But I agree, we’d have to get used to sleeping with a constant lamp on. lol
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“I just hope to discover such a world on another planet.” – If there’s room on your spaceship for an extra two during your explorations, I’d like to sneak on with the Cloud and Rosie. We’re no trouble and keep very quiet (probably). Rosie does have terrible issues with wind, but we can collect it for emergency booster power.
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That’s a deal. I like sticky buns and can bring a clothespin for those emergency fuel situations. lol
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Ahhh, the “footprints” humanity press upon this precious life-sustaining volatile (fragile?) planet. Good? Not so good? Bad? Hmmmmmmm. — rubs his chin —
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We’ll make your mind up and stop rubbing yourself eh?! Hahahahaha.
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But, but Esme… it feels SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD!!! — evil smirk —
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shuts him in the pantry with no supper
esme laughing upon the Cloud
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I’ve known about these paths in 3rd world nations for awhile now – they seem a great idea in communities unsafe (especially for women) due to lack of adequate light. That being said, I must live where there is utter darkness at night, and have done so for most of my life. Though I can simply avail myself of an LED somewhere … And no glowing trees, no. Good grief.
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“they seem a great idea in communities unsafe (especially for women) due to lack of adequate light.” – Good point. “And no glowing trees, no. Good grief.” – Indeed1 Tsk. Thanks for stoping by and lighting up the Cloud with your presence Bela. – smiles
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Haha, yes. I’ve swum with many jellies in my time. Never been stung either 😉
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Poor jelly!
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I know!
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The wife and I really love this blog and appreciate the awesome imagery you provide. We would like to encourage you to keep writing and never abandon this blog. When you decide to have a mobile app version, I would love to be of service. I appreciate the hard work you have put into this blog and wish you all future success in business and in life.
Thank you for your time, it is the most precious thing we all possess.
-Jacque’
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Well now thank you both very kindly Jacque’, I’m very pleased you and your good lady like it so much, and wish you nothing but smiles and contentedness back, and yes, if I should decide to go down that (quite possible, but possibly when I’m quite aged at this rate) road I’ll come back to you without doubt. I’m pretty sure esme will be around for a very long time yet, and it’s words like yours that make this so.
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