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I live in Hangzhou and they are already addressing these problems. For example, there is a network of public bike stations. To use a bike, you make a 200 yuan d
by reedlaw 12y ago
I live in Hangzhou and they are already addressing these problems. For example, there is a network of public bike stations. To use a bike, you make a 200 yuan deposit on a public transportation card. The first hour bike rental is free. After that it starts at 1 yuan for the second hour and goes up from there. The card also works for buses (a ride costs 2-4 yuan) using your available balance. After riding a bus, the free bike period is increased to 90 minutes. It's usually easy to find a bike and they are continuing to build new stations making it even more convenient.
Cars are a problem because of the amount of traffic around the city center. To address that, the goverment mandated that private cars could only drive in the city once a week during weekday rush hour. New drivers can only get a license if they pay a hefty tax or win a lottery (only about 2% who enter win). These restrictions don't apply to electric vehicles. There is also a network of public electric cars that can be rented for personal use. They are about the size of Smart cars.
The article points at the suburban sprawl starting to spread around cities like Shanghai. But what it doesn't mention is that most of these homes are super expensive or so far away as to require a lifestyle which most Chinese couldn't afford. Those who could afford these houses are likely to also be able to afford an even better lifestyle overseas. The middle-class can scarcely afford to buy a small apartment in China's top-tier cities. So I'm not too worried about Western-style sprawl taking over all of China.
- gurkendoktor 12y ago> I live in Hangzhou and they are already addressing these problems. For example, there is a network of public bike stations. Do people use these in your experience? I've noticed them pop up all over Germany and then Taiwan too, but I found it hard to spot anyone but tourists riding public bikes. I always wonder if these are simply prestige projects to impress green-minded citizens (like myself).
- skrebbel 12y agoIn the Netherlands, most train stations have a bike station like that, and it seems to be quite a success. 4 years ago, seeing someone on such an "OV-fiets" (public transit bike) was an oddity, now it's very common. Doing the last mile by bike beats buses and trams big time, IMO. No waiting, no sitting next to sweaty people, no thinking, planning - just go. It probably helps that biking is already a strong element of Dutch culture, but if I'm not mistaken the Chinese bike a lot too so I guess it could work just as well.
- MrBuddyCasino 12y agoIn Stuttgart they are actually used a lot, though I think they would get used more if the bikes themselves weren't so hideous. In an age where bikes are the new cars, how can they ignore design?
- abrowne 12y agoThey are used a lot in Minneapolis.
- reedlaw 12y agoYes, they are used a lot. Sometimes a whole station will be empty, but they have staff who help replenish bikes in those cases. Hangzhou is a heavily touristed city and there are a lot more tourists using the bikes around the scenic spots. But I live far away from tourist spots and there are plenty of bike stations around and plenty of people using them.
- seanmcdirmid 12y agoThe rich villas are just what you see; there are plenty of hidden ghetto villages hidden from view. Its quite expensive to live in puxi.