As the economy develops, people’s reasons for choosing the green mode of transportation—bicycles—are shifting from passive to active. A responsible lifestyle, an emerging fashion trend, and an advanced form of civilization are all actively advocated by green cycling.
An Englishman’s Perspective on Eco-Friendly Cycling
On August 8, 2012, speaking about the Summer Olympics unfolding in London, Richard Hopkins burst into laughter. Fond of Taiyuan, he joked with the reporter: “London must be really congested now, so cycling is definitely the smart choice.” British expat Richard has lived in Taiyuan for three years. Although he owns two BMWs at his home in London, one of his greatest hobbies is riding a mountain bike. In Taiyuan, no matter the season, he commutes twice daily from his residence to his company. Rain or shine, the sight of this foreigner in a suit pedaling a bicycle is quite a street spectacle.
Richard bought his mountain bike for 800 yuan at Walmart three years ago. Now, he can surely feel that more and more people in Taiyuan share his passion for cycling and love for green transport.
Two or three decades ago, China was known as the kingdom of bicycles. Back then, being a driver was an enviable profession. With the rapid development of the national economy, owning a car has become an ordinary thing. By the end of June this year, the total number of motor vehicles nationwide had reached a worrying 233 million. Among them, 114 million were cars, growing at a staggering rate of over 8 million every six months.
With the explosive growth in the number of motor vehicles, although roads are getting wider and smoother, smooth urban traffic and fresh air seem somewhat out of reach. Richard told the reporter that he thinks the weather in Taiyuan feels a bit like London fog. Then he flailed his arms to demonstrate the predicament of constantly having to dodge motor vehicles while cycling and having to look left and right to stay safe. Unable to read Chinese or speak the language, Richard’s cycling explorations extend no further than the Jinci Park area. He takes pride in choosing not to drive and instead cycle—both for exercise and environmental protection. Of course, he believes cycling conditions in London are better, and many cyclists treat biking as part of enjoying life.
Bicycles: The Evolution of Green
As the economy develops, over the decades, bicycles, like other consumer goods, have bid farewell to monotony. This green mode of transport now faces a more segmented and specialized market. Rapid industrialization means bicycles come in all kinds of materials, performance levels, colors, styles, and price ranges—and can even be customized. Although there’s still a gap compared to developed countries in terms of professional manufacturing techniques and conceptual understanding, it’s no longer difficult for Chinese people to express their individuality through bicycles. Moreover, people’s reasons for choosing them are shifting from passive to active.
“When people realize that driving makes their bellies bigger and their physical health worse, buying a bicycle for commuting is a win-win solution. Changes in mindset are the main reason,” said Shop Assistant Master Xing at a Giant high-end bicycle store on Taiyuan’s Changfeng Street on August 9. The bikes in the store are all priced above 3,600 yuan, with the most expensive one selling for 17,800 yuan. Master Xing mentioned that if ordered, other more expensive models could be imported from Taiwan. He noted that sales of high-end bicycles have been improving year after year, with the main consumers now being white-collar workers and business owners aged around 30 to 40, who enjoy relatively good economic conditions and use the bikes for commuting or fitness cycling. The store’s sales in July amounted to nearly 300,000 yuan, and with students returning to school in August, another sales peak for the cycling industry is expected.
High fuel prices, congested roads, and scarce parking spaces—apart from fitness, these three long-standing urban transportation headaches for car owners have become major reasons for choosing green modes of transport. After oil prices topped 8 yuan per liter, many car owners said they could no longer afford to drive. Traffic congestion makes stop-and-go driving even more fuel-consuming, and finding a parking spot at the destination is equally troublesome. Driver conflicts caused by congestion and parking competition are not uncommon. Thus, choosing a bicycle has become a new option for many for short-distance travel.
Data suggests that the internationally recognized optimal cycling distance is 5 kilometers. Many people’s daily commutes to work are around that distance, which means most commuters can fully meet their transportation needs with a bicycle.
Green Travel: A Multiple-Choice Question
Besides bicycles, electric bikes are also popular for their convenience and speed, and their sales are booming. Statistics from the Shanxi Electric Bicycle Industry Association show that the number of electric bikes in our province has approached 4 million and is growing rapidly every day. However, while many citizens acknowledge the eco-friendliness and convenience of electric bikes, they also offer some advice: although they’re environmentally friendly, please “slow down”—going too fast can easily lead to life-threatening risks.
According to statistical data, in the first half of the year, the per capita expenditure on household transportation tools in Taiyuan was 12.99 yuan, up 10.7% year-on-year. A conservative estimate puts the total spending in the first half at around 40 million yuan. As residents’ environmental awareness increases and green travel behavior strengthens, purchases of electric bikes and high-end bicycles have risen. Interestingly, the growth in spending on high-end bicycles, mountain bikes, and other transportation tools is particularly significant, increasing by 43.6% year-on-year.
There are many forms of green travel—walking, traditional bicycles, electric bikes, and public transportation… Everyone can choose based on their personal circumstances. Even without considering broader macro issues like low carbon emissions or reducing the Earth’s burden, choosing green is a great option to avoid obesity and “three highs” (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol), save money and energy, or simply to look cooler and greener. A responsible lifestyle, an emerging fashion trend, and an advanced form of civilization are all actively advocated by green cycling.
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