Beijing to set bicycle lanes on roads following Paris example

Few people rented bicycles so leasing sites gradually disappeared.

Two years ago, some government departments and social units in Beijing made similar attempts. In May 2007, the public security department had established free leasing sites in Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, however did not promote leasing sites at other colleges and universities. Fortune Bicycle Rental Company, which planed to provide 50,000 bicycles in two years, had established 30 leasing sites nearby subway stations including Puhuangyu Station, with only an annual lease of 100 yuan. However, there are no sites nearby Puhuangyu Station anymore. "They closed last year because few people rented their bicycles," a security guard had said on December 23.

"Things will become easier once the government gets involved." An official from a bicycle leasing company said on December 23 that bicycle leasing sites take up too much space. Furthermore the rent on the land around subway stations is expensive, and so enterprises do not have too much money to cover communities in which the bicycle sheds are not set up. "The bicycles parked around subway stations are under the care of somebody but not after people ride them home. They have to reimburse us if they lose the bicycle, so few people do not dare to rent a bicycle."

Follow-up report

Bicycle paths become parking lots

As a main road with full functions, Chaoyang North Road is lined by two bicycle paths. However yesterday afternoon, reporters learned that from Qingnian Road to the Chaoyang Hospital, motor vehicles had occupied one-fifth of the bicycle paths, turning these paths into parking lots. At the same time, nearly all passing cyclists had to use the motorway and all bus stops had to be set up on or near bicycle paths. When a bus arrived at a stop, passing cyclists had to stop immediately. At a bus stop located on Qingnian Road, a cyclist nearly hit a pedestrian who was running after a bus.

"Riding a bicycle is a good thing because it can help build your body, protect the environment and relieve traffic pressure. But, with so many motor vehicles, Beijing's road situation is really complex and unfavorable for cyclists," said a traffic policeman.

Nine green projects

The clean energy utilization project

The green buildings promotion project

The green traffic project

The air pollution control project

The energy-efficient technologies and products promotion project

The waste resource recycling project

The waste water recycling project

The urban and rural beautification project

The demonstrative green project

Engineering projects

The tail gas telemetering network

Guarantee the gradual reduction in emissions discharge by motor vehicles, and keep the major emissions discharge by motor vehicles at the level of 2008. At the same time, gradually set up a tail gas telemetering network and achieve a real time connection with motor vehicle test centers.

Use electricity to replace coal

The installed capacity of all photovoltaic equipment will reach 100 megawatts by 2012. Ban coal use in core areas of the city, and use electricity to replace coal in 160,000 households. Energy saving modifications to 10 million square meters of existing residential buildings and 10.3 million square meters of ordinary public buildings will be completed by 2012.

Translated by LOTO