Comments on: My latest observations from China http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-latest-observations-from-china Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:05:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: product design http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3673 product design Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:52:16 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3673 china bicycle manufacture is very interesting, they all design the same things because they want to earn fast money and copy each other. 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 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3672 Jannis Gerlinger Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:38:01 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3672 Sounds great!<br /><br />Greetings Sounds great!

Greetings

]]> By: jamesmallon http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3670 jamesmallon Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:06:43 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3670 "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."<br /><br />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. "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 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3669 Rob Sun, 21 Feb 2010 13:01:11 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3669 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. 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. http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3668 James T. Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:52:36 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3668 Thanks for the comments so far everyone. <br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. 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 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3667 Sergio Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:10:14 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3667 I wonder why this is so surprising. The perception of bicycles as "poor" man's transport exist even in countries like Spain(Europe)... 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 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3666 Anonymous Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:35:46 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3666 Only a wealthy middle-class 'designer' can type the phrase -<br /><br /><i>I do believe that the perception of the bicycle as “poor mans” transport plays a big role in the average Chinese worker’s aspiration...</i><br /><br />-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.<br /><br />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". 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".

]]> By: Harry http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3665 Harry Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:49:17 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3665 Was In Gounagzhou and Beijing a couple of weeks ago. First time in China. Heard that some cities have banner internal combustion scooters. So there has been an increase in the use of e-bikes and possibly bikes as well. Was In Gounagzhou and Beijing a couple of weeks ago. First time in China. Heard that some cities have banner internal combustion scooters. So there has been an increase in the use of e-bikes and possibly bikes as well.

]]> By: jamesmallon http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3664 jamesmallon Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:37:28 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3664 Ha. The perception of bikes, foot and transit, as a poor man's mode of travel exists everywhere outside of the core of a dozen cities in the U.S. and Canada, too. So too the 'safety' arms race: my safety at the expense of society, dammit! Ha. The perception of bikes, foot and transit, as a poor man's mode of travel exists everywhere outside of the core of a dozen cities in the U.S. and Canada, too. So too the 'safety' arms race: my safety at the expense of society, dammit!

]]> By: kate http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/comment-page-1/#comment-3661 kate Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:55:30 +0000 http://bicycledesign.net/2010/02/my-latest-observations-from-china/#comment-3661 Good observation you have there. Have you read of the saying that God created the world and everything else comes from China. Yeah mostly of the products coming from China are emitations but there still some original ones. Good observation you have there. Have you read of the saying that God created the world and everything else comes from China. Yeah mostly of the products coming from China are emitations but there still some original ones.

]]>