'Starvation strings' and the public good: Development of a Swedish bike trail network in the early twentieth century

During the early twentieth century, northernmost Sweden became integrated into a national communication network. A unique step in this development was bike trail construction in remote forest areas. These trails were only a metre wide, but were built with solid embankments, a good sub-base and drainage. Petitions, regulations, subsidies and the work of committees show the important role that the Swedish Government played in the expansion of the bike trail network. Local commercial and private needs were met during a brief period of time before larger roads were built.