Do you think this is real?

[Markymark]

Or a place that sold photographs!!

Or a place that lets makes multiple photos jump up and down on one leg.

 

[Alan O]

It looks to me like the cycle lane marker has been removed, and what's still visible is the cleaner whiter stonework that was protected from the weather.

 

[jefmcg]

What's a listicle btw?

More seriously, an article that's just a list of things, like

27 Hilarious Fails That Are the Very Definition Of Bad Design ...

 

[srw]

It looks to me like the cycle lane marker has been removed, and what's still visible is the cleaner whiter stonework that was protected from the weather.

So why, in France, is the bike lane on the left? Or has the photo been reversed?

 

[AndyRM]

More seriously, an article that's just a list of things, like

27 Hilarious Fails That Are the Very Definition Of Bad Design ...

Will number 6 blow my mind?

 

[Alan O]

So why, in France, is the bike lane on the left? Or has the photo been reversed?

Hmm, good spot, yes.

Searching Google suggests that cycle lane markers in France show the rider facing to the left, so a reversed image seems unlikely. Judging by other photos people have provided, it looks like there's no room on the other side for a lane. So it's possible it's a 2-way lane on that side, but that would be very narrow. It's possible an original 2-way cycle lane was wider, but the bike sign is pretty much centre of the current "lane".

I'm coming down on the side of prank.

 

[mjr]

I found the canal prank on https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/314337248974632741/ among many many others. I can't tell where the original was from. The filename says dutch but not specifically Amsterdam:

 

[winjim]

What's a listicle btw?

It's when one hangs lower than the other.

 

[Globalti]

Amazing isn't it how nonsense like this enters internet folklore?

Anybody with half a brain can see the clean patches on the edge where stanchions were once bolted and even evidence of failure of some of the edge stones. The brand new rail supports the idea that the old rail was removed and a replacement erected on a stronger footing further inboard

 

[mjr]

Amazing isn't it how nonsense like this enters internet folklore?

Anybody with half a brain can see the clean patches on the edge where stanchions were once bolted and even evidence of failure of some of the edge stones. The brand new rail supports the idea that the old rail was removed and a replacement erected on a stronger footing further inboard

The new rail that's been there at least six years. Find at least one photo of the bridge with the claimed previous barriers and cycle marking.

 

[Globalti]

Where is it? Giz a clue!

I'm no planner or architect but the bridge looks around 1980s vintage and the rail looks like a much more modern alloy or stainless steel design. In fact if it's SS I'm amazed it hasn't been stolen.

New railings placed well inboard of the original parapet are a common enough feature where cycle trails have been built over old viaducts as it's easier to mount the stanchions to a flat deck than try to mount them to an ageing parapet.

 

[mjr]

@AndyRM posted the Google map link earlier.

 

[bonsaibilly]

What's a listicle btw?

A list.

 

[classic33]

You can see the older barrier mounting points.

Amazing isn't it how nonsense like this enters internet folklore?

Anybody with half a brain can see the clean patches on the edge where stanchions were once bolted and even evidence of failure of some of the edge stones. The brand new rail supports the idea that the old rail was removed and a replacement erected on a stronger footing further inboard

 

[mjr]

Searching suggests it's called the "Passerelle de Folie des Anges" (Angels' Folly Bridge) or on some older maps "Folie Échangeur" (Interchange Folly). It can be seen with that railing in 2006 in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parc-de-la-villette.jpg and Folie des Anges is on the map at https://lavillette.com/carte-interactive/

Can anyone find an earlier photo? The park opened in the early 1980s. I still have a suspicion that some prankster put a cycle symbol in an inaccessible part of the folly - after all, follies are meant to be a bit mad.