Beijing too congested for bicycle army's return

• Source: Global Times
• [01:32 January 26 2010]
• Comments

Cyclists who brave Beijing's streets are trailblazers – they keep going when there's actually no path ahead.

On many roads the bicycle lanes have been invaded and occupied by cars, and guardrails have gone. The cyclist's activity space is just a few inches wide. As he zigzags along, he has to watch out for speeding vehicles on the left and opening car doors on the right; he needs to dodge buses when nearing bus stops and pedal faster when a driver behind honks. Sometimes he uses the footpath and crawls behind those strolling.

In this battle with exhaust fumes, noise and the narrow spaces, cycling is no pleasure. A cyclist's sole aim is to reach his destination alive. It is hardly surprising that most cyclists have given up on the risky sport. It is easier and safer to join others in buses or the subway, or driving a car.

In the absence of safe bicycle tracks, riding a bicycle can endanger life. Ensuring safe bicycle tracks is easier said than done when the roads and streets cannot be widened any further and cars are running out of space to park.