Where in the world can you find the first (and only) elevator for bicycles? That would be Trondheim, Norway. Since 1993, the “Sykkelheisen Trampe,” or Trampe Bicycle Lift, has helped cyclists overcome the city’s hilly terrain. An estimated 20,000-30,000 people summit the steep slope using this unusual piece of infrastructure annually. The bike lift consists of a series of metal tracks embedded in the pavement and a footplate attached to a cable system. Up to five bikers can take the Trampe simultaneously.
How on earth does it work? Here are the official instructions from Visit Trondheim:
“In use, place the right foot at the starting point (the left foot remains on the bicycle pedal), and the start button is pressed. The elevator has two speeds; one for beginners and one for experienced users. After a few seconds, the user is pushed forward on a footplate that appears. A common mistake among tourists and first-time users has been that they do not keep their right legs outstretched and bend forward. This makes it difficult to keep your balance and can cause them to fall off. If someone falls off, the spring-loaded foot plate will disappear under the ground.”
Originally invented and installed by Jarle Wanwik, the lift was upgraded and rebranded as the CycloCable by Skirail in 2013. It is free and available for use every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Originally developed to encourage cycling among Trondheim’s citizens, the Trampe has become one the Norwegian town’s most popular tourist attractions.
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