自行车文化或重回北京城

作为世界性的大都市，北京为如何应对日益拥挤的交通状况而绞尽脑汁，400万辆机动车让这个古老而又现代的都市不堪重负。随着交通拥堵日益严重和空气质量的恶化，北京开始考虑重温曾盛极一时的“自行车文化”。

"There are nine million bicycles in Beijing, that's a fact," is from a song called "Nine Million Bicycles," which was a popular song in 2005 across Europe. However, if people look at the current situation in Beijing, they probably wouldn't believe the song. Here is one citizen.

"I usually take buses nowadays. When I was young, I went out by bicycle. I remember bicyclers and drivers were moving on the same road. There was no separate bicycle road at that time. When I was at about 40, I gave up riding bikes. I feel buses are very convenient."

Data from the Municipal Beijing Traffic Management Bureau shows, during the 1980s, 60 percent of citizens commuted by bike; but in the past five years, only 17.9 percent still ride their bikes.

"I think if it's not a long way, riding a bicycle is a good choice. You don't have to wait like you do with buses. Also, bicycles are good exercise. But in the snowy winter, it's better choose the bus or subway. Riding bicycles in such weather would be dangerous."

Most people agree that riding bicycles is environmentally friendly and a good way to avoid traffic congestion; however, they also have good reasons to give up bicycles.

"I am concerned about the safety of riding a bicycle on the road. You can see the bumpy roads in some areas, and very bad traffic. Sometimes we are forced to ride on motor vehicle roads."

Often, bicycle roads are occupied by parked cars, so people risk their lives by riding bicycles on the motor roads. As a result, bicyclers are not only threatened by running cars, but also exhaust fumes and noise.

Moreover, even in some downtown areas, there are no clear signs separating bicycle lane from car lanes.

According to a recent survey by the Municipal government, more than 39 percent of respondents say facilities for bicycle riding are very bad in the city. And safety concerns top the list of reasons why people no longer ride bicycles.
 
In front of many building in the city, only parking lots for cars can be seen. People also complain that there is no place to park their bicycles if they commute by bike.

However, the situation could be improved in the near future. The Municipal government has recently released a plan to give back bicycle lanes to cyclers. Meanwhile, they are installing 42 new cameras to protect the non-vehicle roads. With these moves, the number of commuters using bicycles is expected to increase to 20 percent by 2015.

For CRI, I am Zhang Wan.