BMW has released a futuristic* vision for how elevated tubes could encourage commuters* to safely travel around cities on e-bikes and electric scooters.

The company compares this concept to Elon Musk’s Hyperloop, claiming it could help reduce congestion*, pollution and mean two-wheeled commuters get to work much faster. The project, which BMW calls “Vision E3 Way,” is the result of collaboration with Shanghai’s Tongji University. The “E3” stands for elevated, electric and efficient.

The company has created plans for two routes in Shanghai, together making up more than 20 kilometers of bike lanes. In addition to being connected to the regular road network, the route will be connected to underground stations, other traffic hubs and even shopping malls. Lanes would be accessed by a ramp with barriers to stop bikes from entering if the pathways have become to busy.

Markus Seidel, head of the BMW Technology Office China, said: “It works by simply creating space for two-wheeled zero-emission traffic.”

The project is open-source. A speed limit of 25 kph would strictly be enforced and for safety reasons regular pedal bikes would be banned.

(SD-Agencies)