Solar cycle path: the world's greenest commute? The 100-metre path, located just north of Amsterdam, is designed to absorb energy from the sun and turn it into electricity, in the same manner as solar panels on roofs. Its solar cells have been covered in a heavy-duty glass - to protect them from wear and tear - and then given a rough plastic coating to prevent cyclists (around 2,000 use the path each day) from slipping. TNO, the engineering firm behind the project - named SolaRoad - said it will generate enough electricity to power two or three households a year. Should it prove a success, it could be expanded to cover other parts of the country. The scheme is fitting for a country like The Netherlands, where more than a quarter of all journeys are made by bike. It is known for its superb cycling infrastructure, with protected cycle paths and numerous parking facilities for cyclists.