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Shanghai Launches Bike-Sharing Program
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by Jarrett Martineau | October 10, 2008 at 11:48 am
287 views | 6 Recommendations | 11 comments
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Shanghai has launched a great eco-initiative to encourage bike-sharing and cycling as an alternative to auto transport.
The project allows commuters to pay a nominal fee to access bikes that allow them to cycle between their place of work and the closest metro station.
The project plans to expand to 2,700 sites by 2012.
Cycling commuters in Shanghai have been on a steady decline due to the boom in car ownership and the elimination of bike lanes on select major roads over the past 5 years. However, that trend may change with a new initiative launched last month to promote bike use.The city started testing a bike-sharing system to coincide with World Car Free Day and as part of the preparations for the the 2010 World Expo. The limited trial began outside one metro station near a high-tech research area with the goal of encouraging people to bike between the metro station and their office. The plan is to expand the program to 800 metro station exits and 2,700 other sites by 2012.
Riders pay a 200 RMB ($28) deposit on the bike, with the first half hour free. For each additional hour, riders pay 3 RMB ($0.40). Bikes are supplied by the Shanghai Forever Bicycle Company, one of the most famous and recognizable old bicycle brands in China.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (11)
at 11:49 on October 10th, 2008
Great news!
at 12:08 on October 10th, 2008
Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff. They have something similar in Paris and in Amsterdam they had/have a scheme that involves no pyment at all - just pick up a bike and ride and then leave it down again.
Some towns in the UK tried it but after a week all the bikes were stolen!
at 16:25 on October 10th, 2008
Thats true. Might be a problem in China too. $28 for a bike doesn't sound all that bad.
at 17:25 on October 10th, 2008
$28 is a lot of money for a lot of people in Shanghai!
Some people have $20 salaries...
at 18:06 on October 10th, 2008
the thought behind this programme is definitely great as i always try to practise eco-friendly environment whenever and wherever possible. but i do agreed with MKER Photography..... $28 (RMB200) is a lot of money to most locals!!! and furthermore, if the government wanna promote and encourage this scheme they should open up more bike lanes especially in the city centre which most of the streets in city centre are out of boundaries to bikes.... i believe MKER knows and understands this as well....:-) i recently bought myself a bike and have been riding to work in nanjing west road and i'm loving it!!
at 05:36 on October 11th, 2008
They have this system in the city of Hangzhou (close to Shanghai) and it works really well! Perfect for tourists as well.
at 03:19 on October 12th, 2008
Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 05:06 on October 14th, 2008
Yes, I would agree, it would cost loads for the locals. I remember they were so poor they couldn't even pay the entrance to visit a local park in Gwangzhow.
at 00:44 on October 15th, 2008
hope they expand this soon. do you know if it's still only one test location?
at 10:10 on October 16th, 2008
It's a great idea. Sort of like the Velib project in Paris.
at 06:25 on October 19th, 2008
Jarrett Martineau, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Peace,
campanaro