Warning signs set up by the management.
The new cycling ban introduced by the Kunming Xishan Scenic Area Management Committee has been opposed by most cyclists. A representative of the cyclists proposed modifying the new rules instead of enforcing a total ban, and their suggestion has received a positive response from the management, who stated their willingness to listen to the opinions of the majority of cyclists in order to achieve a balance of interests.
Cyclists: Hope management uses multi-channel restrictions on cycling
Mr. Sun has been cycling in Xishan for several years and is somewhat well-known among Kunming’s cycling enthusiasts. He rides in Xishan two or three times a month. He told reporters that Xishan is the most popular route among Kunming cyclists. Compared to other cycling routes in Kunming, the road surface in Xishan is better, all paved, and the slopes are relatively gentle, making it suitable for cyclists of all ages to exercise and ride. In addition, Xishan is close to downtown Kunming, reachable by bicycle in about an hour. The air on the mountain is fresh, and there are many historical sites along the way. For him, the feeling of seeing Dianchi Lake while cycling on Xishan is an indescribable sense of happiness.
“I hope the management can create channels to actively communicate and dialogue with cyclists and find a balance of interests for all parties. For safety hazards related to cycling, solutions such as setting up speed bumps at bends can be implemented, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach,” Mr. Sun said. “We also hope that Kunming Xishan will become a highlight in Kunming’s development as a world-renowned tourist city, and we don’t want outsiders to laugh at Kunming.”
Regarding the management’s restrictions on cycling, he expressed that cyclists also somewhat understand the management’s predicament. Due to the many bends on Xishan, some road sections being narrow, and the roads being shared by tourist buses, cyclists, and pedestrians, accidents can easily occur. However, he believes that the restricted hours from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. coincide with the peak times when cyclists go up and down the mountain. The timing of the restriction is hard for him and his friends to accept because, for cyclists, it essentially means daytime cycling is prohibited. If the restricted time period could be shortened, for example from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there might be much less opposition.
Management: Willing to negotiate and revise regulations with cyclists
When discussing the original intention behind the Xishan Scenic Area’s limited-time cycling ban, Lu Liping, Deputy Director of the Xishan Scenic Area Management Committee, said that since last year, the number of cyclists visiting Xishan has increased dramatically. Most cyclists choose to ride downhill, and accidents have occurred from time to time. “To enhance cyclists’ safety awareness, starting in June, reminder signs for pushing bicycles downhill were placed every 100 meters along the downhill roadside, and an initiative asking cyclists to slow down when going downhill was also issued, but with little effect.” He also said that injuries to cyclists continue to occur recently, averaging one to two cases per month. For the safety of cyclists, and as a last resort, they had to introduce this new regulation in accordance with the relevant provisions of the ‘Yunnan Province Scenic Area Regulations.’
Lu Liping explained that the purpose of introducing this regulation is not to ban cycling, but to serve as a management measure. Even now, those who insist on riding uphill are not fined under the new rules. The Management Committee only provides persuasion and reminders. Whether fines will be enforced depends on the effectiveness of the recent persuasion efforts. “The new management regulations inevitably have imperfections, and we are still in the exploration stage. As long as the safety of tourists and cycling enthusiasts can be ensured, any methods can be discussed.”
“We can seek common ground while reserving differences regarding the cyclists’ misunderstanding of the new rules. We can exchange views through seminars to further revise and improve the regulations,” Lu Liping said. To regulate management, if cyclists insist on choosing the cycling route in the Xishan Scenic Area, they are encouraged to coordinate with the management in advance. “Ultimately, the goal is to find a balance of interests for both sides.”