In the future, the poor cycling environment in urban areas will be gradually improved. Yesterday, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport announced the first batch of demonstration sections for pedestrian and bicycle systems. So far, four demonstration roads along Line 5 of the subway—Tiantan East Road, Chongwenmen Outer Street, Chongwenmen Inner Street, and Dongdan North Street—have been renovated, including widening 2,578 square meters of sidewalks, relocating 240 parking spaces, and installing 1,812 meters of barriers separating motor vehicle and non-motorized vehicle lanes.
Yesterday afternoon, reporters observed on Chongwenmen Outer Street that a row of “barriers” less than one meter wide had been added to the center of the auxiliary road. These cement-paved “barriers” replaced traditional guardrails, maintaining the road’s aesthetic while effectively separating car and bicycle traffic areas. “Usually, motor vehicles won’t drive over the barriers, so they give up parking along the roadside,” explained a relevant official. The auxiliary road here is 9 meters wide, with the newly built barrier being 0.75 meters wide and equipped with bollards spaced every 6 meters.
According to the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport’s Road Administration Bureau, this year’s intensive improvement project for sidewalks and non-motorized vehicle lanes mainly focuses on roads along Lines 4, 5, and 6 of the subway within the Third Ring Road, as well as auxiliary roads of the Second and Third Ring Roads. Engineering measures have been implemented to ensure the continuity and width of non-motorized vehicle lanes and sidewalks, providing convenient travel conditions for residents who choose walking or cycling.
Recently, commuters passing by Hepingxi Bridge may have noticed that the bicycle lanes in all four directions under the overpass have been paved with colored asphalt—a first for guiding non-motorized traffic. Yesterday, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport’s Road Administration Bureau revealed that the first batch of colored bicycle lanes involves 12 overpasses. Currently, the project under Hepingxi Bridge has been completed ahead of schedule, with the other 11 sites expected to be finished by the end of this year. (Reporter Guo Chao)
Colored bicycle lanes to be installed at 12 overpasses
Four locations on the Second Ring Road: Guanyuan Bridge, Yuantan South Bridge, Yuantan North Bridge, and Guang’anmen Bridge
Eight locations on the Third Ring Road: Suzhou Bridge, Hepingxi Bridge, Hepingdong Bridge, Sanyuan West Bridge, Sanyuan East Bridge, Yansha Bridge, Changhong Bridge, and Jinguang Bridge