Power to the pedestrian – walking bridges around the world
November 15, 2013
![meixi-bridge-web||Rolling Bridge for pedestrians in London](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/640ee4b2979c11d46a70fafa/669e9195ae4940c04e4ac3cd_meixi-bridge-web.webp)
Looking like a tendril from the stunning Beijing Olympics bird’s nest stadium, the soon-to-be-built Changsha Meixi lake crossing is another example of the cutting-edge architecture being employed around the world to build landmark pedestrian bridges - a celebration of walking that is always to be encouraged.
The architectural practice, NEXT architects have designed the 24 metre-tall and 150 metre-long bridge to offer access to the waterside as well as the hills above.
![meixi-bridge-web](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/640ee4b2979c11d46a70fafa/669e9195ae4940c04e4ac3cd_meixi-bridge-web.jpeg)
Striking pedestrian bridges nearer to home include the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, which caters to both cyclists and pedestrians and is the world’s first tilting bridge.
![Gateshead pedestrian bridge](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/640ee4b2979c11d46a70fafa/665e5191d0d3d9da2ade8c80_Gateshead-Bridge.jpeg)
Every Friday at midday, the Rolling Bridge in London furls to allow a boat to pass in or out of its moorage. Powered by hydraulic rams, the bridge’s eight triangular, hinged sections roll themselves into a wheel.
![Rolling Bridge London](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/640ee4b2979c11d46a70fafa/665e5191d0d3d9da2ade8c85_rolling-bridge.jpeg)