Shanghai back-pedals on bike ban - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

02-23-2004, 01:51 PM

Shanghai back-pedals on bike ban

Shanghai officials appear to be back-pedalling on what was being viewed as an
"anti-bicycle" campaign in the city.
Officials announced at the weekend plans to build a network of cycle paths in
the centre of the city, according to the Shanghai Daily newspaper.

The plan was in marked contrast to a series of recent measures which appeared to
penalise cyclists.

For example, a tenfold increase in traffic fines for cyclists is due to take
effect in May, and last month, a ban on using bicycles on roads in the city
centre was implemented.

The ban was introduced as an anti-congestion measure, but many residents see the
rapidly growing number of private cars as the real reason for crowded roads.

The new plans do not mean an end to the ban and few details of the cycle path
network were given.

But an official told the Shanghai Daily that the cycle paths would be integrated
into urban renewal projects in the run-up to the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The city has a population of around 20m and there are an estimated 9m bicycles -
many people still view them as essential for getting around.

"Instead of banning bicycles, the government should consider banning private
cars in certain areas," city employee and critic of the bicycle ban, Yu Pengfei,
was quoted as saying.

Story from BBC NEWS:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Published: 2004/02/23 11:38:49 GMT

© BBC MMIV

02-23-2004, 06:48 PM

The very reason for the cycle path may be so they have a place tpo ban
the cyclists too. There are some places here in the states that have
such ordinances.

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-23-2004, 06:48 PM

The very reason for the cycle path may be so they have a place tpo ban
the cyclists too. There are some places here in the states that have
such ordinances.

"May you have the wind at your back.
And a really low gear for the hills!"

Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

Chris'Z Corner
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-23-2004, 07:32 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote in news:25716-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
> The very reason for the cycle path may be so they have a place tpo ban
> the cyclists too. There are some places here in the states that have
> such ordinances.

Shanghai is in Communist China. There are no laws. The government does
whatever it wants. Really. On the other hand, the government can be
reasonable when it figures out that a serious economic inefficiency can be
cheaply fixed.

02-23-2004, 07:32 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] (Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote in news:25716-
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]:
> The very reason for the cycle path may be so they have a place tpo ban
> the cyclists too. There are some places here in the states that have
> such ordinances.

Shanghai is in Communist China. There are no laws. The government does
whatever it wants. Really. On the other hand, the government can be
reasonable when it figures out that a serious economic inefficiency can be
cheaply fixed.

02-23-2004, 07:41 PM

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 21:48:30 -0500 (EST), [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
(Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote:

>The very reason for the cycle path may be so they have a place tpo ban
>the cyclists too. There are some places here in the states that have
>such ordinances

....such as where I live. Local ordinances compel cyclists to use
parallel bike paths, where available, rather than the public roads.

These are often in a poor state of repair--thumping over roots in a
road bike while going downhill is not my idea of fun!--and set me up
for nasty confrontations with cross-traffic.

Mercifully, the local police have never enforced this ordinance. I
usually wave to the cop on the beat--he usually waves back.

-Luigi
..
>
>"May you have the wind at your back.
>And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
>Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
>Chris'Z Corner
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-23-2004, 07:41 PM

On Mon, 23 Feb 2004 21:48:30 -0500 (EST), [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
(Chris Zacho "The Wheelman") wrote:

>The very reason for the cycle path may be so they have a place tpo ban
>the cyclists too. There are some places here in the states that have
>such ordinances

....such as where I live. Local ordinances compel cyclists to use
parallel bike paths, where available, rather than the public roads.

These are often in a poor state of repair--thumping over roots in a
road bike while going downhill is not my idea of fun!--and set me up
for nasty confrontations with cross-traffic.

Mercifully, the local police have never enforced this ordinance. I
usually wave to the cop on the beat--he usually waves back.

-Luigi
..
>
>"May you have the wind at your back.
>And a really low gear for the hills!"
>
>Chris Zacho ~ "Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"
>
>Chris'Z Corner
>[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

02-24-2004, 12:09 AM

Watch the Chinese become giant lardasses like many Americans, and watch them
wonder why....

02-24-2004, 12:09 AM

Watch the Chinese become giant lardasses like many Americans, and watch them
wonder why....