Above: Some 500 million bicycles in China!
These bikers are heading towards West at NanChiZi Gate (South Pond Gate) at ChangAn Avenue near TianAnMen Square. Photo gallery below.Beijing Bikers - Real Environmental Heroes
PICTORIAL - BEIJING BIKERS
What is it what so many Beijingers want most? It's not a mobile phone, many have had it already for long. Firstly, it is own apartment, then is car, next good education for child emperor, and finally high salary to cover it all. No Chinese want to wait. "Right Here, Right Now" mentality is raising.
Chinese income levels are rising and traffic jams have arrived to Beijing. Without famous Chinese patience this new situation wouldn't be manageable. City has over 2 million cars, 200.000+ added this year, over 3 million cars by Olympic Games. Re-inventing biking might be the thing.
CAR
Beijingers define car as freedom, transport capability, and protection against SARS and future bird flu. But top most, car is a status symbol. In Chinese society, if you have a big car, you show your importance.
INTERNET BUYER GROUPS
Chinese websites help to organize buyers into groups to increase their negotiating power for cheaper price. Car sellers compete furiously to get a deal with group of 100 car buyers by one go. The cars are sold with narrow margins.
OIL
Price level of gasoline is similar to that of U.S. It's acceptable for office workers in Beijing. Of course high but in Chinese culture, price is never right, it's just bearable. Companies in China are in the middle of getting-rich reality. They face pressure to rapidly raise salaries and give company cars, or losing key persons to competitors.
ULTIMATE
In China's car markets, speed and scale are unique. Government happens to be part owner of automotive industries and limiting green regulations. It receives tax contributions from cars. Luckily, The Olympic Games 2008 will boost Beijing's public transport.
BIKING HEROES
It is bicycles, biking lanes and bikers which still define Beijing. Because of daily jams, biking often is the fastest way. Biking is the major "green component" in Beijingers' lives.
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BeijingMan salutes all Beijing Bikers!
You are True Environmental Heroes!
BeijingMan aka Kippo
List of all BeijingMan Postings
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Above: This woman is biking alongside TianAnMen square in Beijing. And this is Beijing fog. After couple of days, or sometimes couple of weeks, the wind helps us out of it. Sofar always has.
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Flower seller in Beijing
Late afternoon flower sellers appear at apartments' gates. Big greens about 100RMB (= 10EUR or 12USD), large cactus 200RMB. Good service!
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Dog seller in Beijing
Want a baby-dog? Dog market, GouShi, is in Eastern Beijing. Dogs there seem to get reasonable food and care. After taken to Beijing home, dog or cat becomes a family member, or sometimes an emperor!
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Bird man in Beijing
How many bird cages? These men get-together and when covers are lifted the singing concert begins. It feels a bit same as sitting under a blossoming sherry tree: unbelievable.
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Arts & Crafts transport in Beijing
Interested in stone, wood or metal works? Then go to PanJiaJuan market at Eastern Beijing. Low prices. Transport cost 1-2EUR.
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Recycling in Beijing
Everything re-usable is collected and sold forward. Picture is taken near Drum Tower at Northern Beijing. This bike fits well to small lanes.
Above: Coal transport. A lot of homes use still coal for heating and cooking during winter. This load (small load here) can take a family over the winter. I asked this biker his permission for this picture. Friendly, shy person.
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Recycling in Beijing
This biker could have 3-4 times more load on his bike! If refresments are needed, go to that yellow kiosk: ice-cream, newspapers, tobacco. A big bottle of local beer 0,3EUR.
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Family transport in Beijing
This is from a market place near famous SciTech department store. Very practical bike, notice the side where person in orange shirt sits. Kids certainly like this.
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Family transport in Beijing
Beijing is flat but surrounded by mountains. Sometimes wind and dust make biking less fun. Here we see Confucian calm, not in a hurry, biking in slow motion!
Above: Street cleaning bike at 38 km long ChangAn Avenue.
But what is that red and white other side of ChangAn Avenue? Yes, an art piece. It's a face of a Beijing Opera character! Colors are ready, just imagine a bit, add, and there he is, watching you!
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Family transport in Beijing
According to officials, Beijing now has 15 million citizens, increasing 100.000 per year, reaching 20 million by year 2020. Without bikes unmanageable situation.
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Family transport in Beijing
However, the official target for Beijing is only 18 million citizens in year 2020. This number excludes tourists, visiting workers and migrant workers who make about 3 million all the time in Beijing.
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Transport in Beijing
More people from other provinces want to move urban to do business. This biker is passing TianAnMen square.
Above: A basic transport bike. I found this beauty inside Ritan park. Strong and practical.
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Tourist bike in Beijing
In summer when the weather is hot I use these services. It's fun. When biker gets into "situations" in busy traffic, screaming will not help. Just trust, these bikers know how to do it. They take you there, they want to get paid.
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Transport bike in Beijing
These guys look like working partners. Sometimes the whole family sits on top of the load. On windy days the hardship is multiplied by 10.
Above: These twisted "breads" on bike are called "Ma Hua". Place is Southern TianAnMen. I didn't taste but they certainly are freshly baked. This is local competition for nearby KFC and McDonalds.
Above: Street cleaning bike at GongTiBeiLu avenue near Workers Stadium. This bike is a practical artwork: it's form, function and usability are all at top level. Well serving it's purpose.
Above: Now, this is something real. Look how the load is balanced. Maximized productivity. Load can be heavy, bike is a real workhorse.
Above: Break the patterns! This is a business bike, my favorite! Once bike has found it's place, it takes only a few minutes to arrange it as a magazine sales kiosk. Picture taken beside SciTech, No.1 department store at JianGuoMenWai Avenue in Beijing.
Above: Transport bikers resting while waiting for next order. It's hottest time in the afternoon at XinZhongJie street in Beijing.
Above: Transport bikers waiting for customers at PanJiaJuan market in Beijing.
Above: Found this badly wounded 3-wheeler at a small lane. It's not dead, it's locked.
Above: Biking services for tourists.
Above: Pet dog transport.
Above: Biking lane at main avenue.
Above: Water transport bike, for road side flowers. Small engine at back to pump water.
Above: He helps you to stop your bike on red and go again on green light.
Above: Unofficial bicycle parking. Here you can find all the main brands: Flying Pigeon, Forever and Phoenix.
Above: Official bicycle parking near Wang Fujing shopping street. This should be your choice, if you don't want to loose your bike while shopping. Parking fee is 2Maos, about 0,02EUR.
Above: RED. Changing to YELLOW... GREEN & GO!
Congratulations to Beijing Bikers!
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© BeijingMan aka Kippo 2008, 2009
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