14/11/2025
You won’t believe what lights up the night in the Netherlands.
There’s a bike path that glows after sunset, like a ribbon of stars on the ground.
By day, tiny stones soak up sunlight. By night, they shine with a soft, blue-green glow. No streetlights. Just stored sunshine guiding your ride.
The design is inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. The swirls you know from the painting appear under your wheels. It’s art you can move through.
The path lives in Nuenen, where Van Gogh once lived and worked. Locals use it to get home. Visitors come just to see it breathe to life.
It was dreamed up by Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde and built with Heijmans. Thousands of photoluminescent stones create a safe, gentle light. On darker days, hidden LEDs help out so it still glows.
It’s practical, but it also feels personal. Couples slow down. Kids point and laugh. For a moment, a simple ride turns into a memory.
If you love bikes, you’ll smile. If you love art, you’ll feel it. If you love the planet, you’ll get why this matters.
References
VAN GOGH PATH - Glowing bicycle path inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Studio Roosegaarde
A Beautiful Glowing Bike Lane Modeled After Van Gogh’s Starry Night. WIRED
Van Gogh’s Starry Night re-created in an innovative bike path. Architectural Digest
In A Dutch Town, A Glowing Bike Path Inspired By Van Gogh. NPR
Disclaimer: Images are generated using AI for illustration purposes only.