Comments on: My latest observations from China

By: James Simpson

James Simpson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:22:00 +0000

Could you possibly get me some contact links in Asia? I design and manufacture Work Bikes in the US and am looking for interested parties in development.

By: James Simpson

James Simpson — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:19:55 +0000

Please contact me as I am a developer of Human Powered Alternative Vehicles in the US, as well as creating a portfolio of custom designed Work Bikes, targeting specific needs in the Industry.

I was wondering if you would be able to link me with any interested parties in development in Asia.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 06:44:45 +0000

During a trip to asia I heard a chinese bike owner saying that American brand bikes have a class status associated with them. As only the wealthy in china can afford the imported Brands. You can see the bike culture clearly in this film: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Bicycle

By: product design

product design — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:52:16 +0000

china bicycle manufacture is very interesting, they all design the same things because they want to earn fast money and copy each other.

By: Jannis Gerlinger

Jannis Gerlinger — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:38:01 +0000

Sounds great!

Greetings

By: jamesmallon

jamesmallon — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:06:43 +0000

"I just think there will be a point when the growing wealthy population in China realizes that car culture comes with its own set of problems."

Except that it hasn't happened in N. America yet, has it? The 'set of problems' that come with car culture are externalities that are borne more by the poor, so what's the incentive for the wealthy? Common humanity? The 20th century makes it hard to believe there's much of that anywhere.

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:01:11 +0000

I thought the ban on motor scooters in Guang dong and Shenzhen was partly to do with street crime. Purse snatchers and muggers were using them to rob women as they went to work. This ban probably caused the increase in bicycle use.

By: James T.

James T. — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:52:36 +0000

Thanks for the comments so far everyone.

Ron and Sergio, I don't think it is surprising at all that bike use is declining worldwide. It is something I don't like to see, but it is certainly not unexpected. The only thing that surprised me a bit was that bicycle use seemed to be back on the upswing.

Anon, 10:35, You have to be kidding! I never even implied that the poverty in China or any other parts of the world is not a very real problem. I was simply saying that the bicycle, more than any other object, has come to be viewed as a symbol of that poverty, especially among those who can afford to abandon it. The gap between rich and poor has widened dramatically in the last decade, so those (real not perceived) poor Chinese workers have to contend with cars on the roads that were not there a short while ago. Many of the new drivers treat them like their lives do not matter, so it really is increasingly dangerous for them to carry out their daily tasks. Given that situation, I understand exactly why they want to ditch their bikes in favor of something they think and hope will make their lives a little better. I just think there will be a point when the growing wealthy population in China realizes that car culture comes with its own set of problems. At the current rate of automobile consumption, that will probably be sooner rather than later.

By: Sergio

Sergio — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:10:14 +0000

I wonder why this is so surprising. The perception of bicycles as "poor" man's transport exist even in countries like Spain(Europe)…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:35:46 +0000

Only a wealthy middle-class 'designer' can type the phrase -

I do believe that the perception of the bicycle as “poor mans” transport plays a big role in the average Chinese worker’s aspiration...

-without a hint of irony. They don't 'percieve' themselves as being poor, they ARE poor. Look around you, who are the people in the West taking up alternative cycling lifestyles? The ones that CAN ALREADY afford cars.

When your basic needs are barely being met and you're working 60 hours a week for 30c an hour, you're hardly thinking to yourself "Gee, how can I change my image".