There are many ways to get to other side.

Off the top of your head how many different types of pedestrian bridges can you name?

How many types of footbridge designs are there?

• 1 - 2
• 2 - 4
• 4 - 6

Footbridge or also known as a Pedestrian Bridge is not designed for vehicular traffic. Shocking, I know... They are for pedestrians, cyclists and even animals. Did you know there is a wide variety of different footbridges and the name is determined by what materials the footbridge is built out of.

Whilst we only focus on Cable Suspension Bridges, it is good to be informed on the possible options out there.

The first bridges in HISTORY were Pedestrian Bridges and they were made out of wood. Ancient Rome started making stone bridges in the 2nd centenary BC over the Tiber River. Interestingly, some of these ancient footbridges stand today.

Pons Fabricius, connecting the Tiber Island with the left bank

Styles and Designs

Pedestrian Bridges can have a wide variety of different designs, styles and be made out of all different kinds of materials.

A "Cable Suspension Bridge" is supported entirely from anchors at its ends. The main cables are handing and they follow a hyperbolic curve while holding the decking. Cable Suspension Bridges Also have additional roping and wiring with handrails to help pedestrians cross safely. This is one of the most cost effective Pedestrian Bridges.

"Clapper Bridge" is a special form of bridge that was built in the medieval times on the moors of Devon. This type of bridge was built across the rivers and it consists of large flat slabs of granites or schist supported on stone piers.

"Moon Bridge" is a stone arch bridge with very high arch. It is most commonly found in gardens in China and Japan. Its arch is semi-circular so that it when it reflects in the calm water, symbolizes the Moon. Its arch is also high so that it allows the passage barges beneath.

A "Step-stone Bridge" is one of the oldest types of bridges. It consists of slabs of rocks placed within the riverbed so a river can be crossed by stepping on stones without getting wet.

A "Zig-Zag Bridge" has short elements (formed from planks and is supported by posts) which are placed at an angle in relation to each other and changing direction left and right. This gives structural stability to this bridge which is built in water gardens and in marshes where straight bridge might tip due to the posts moving in the soft mud.

"Plank Bridge" is simple bridge made of one or more wooden planks. Some don't have a handrail at all.

What have we learnt? That there are many ways to get to the other side.