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Citation |
Shimazaki T, Yang D. Transp. Res. Rec. 1992; 1372: 26-30. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1992, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
The bicycle is the most important personal mode of transportation in the urban areas of China. Currently, the domestic production of bicycles is not only extensive but also increasing very rapidly. In 1988 more than 310 million bicycles were in use. The causes of the intensive use of bicycles and their effects on urban transportation are identified, and measures to overcome these problems are analyzed on the basis of data from various sources. Several reasons for such intensive use of bicycles include (a) poor public transit service, (b) the relative cost of private modes of transportation, (c) adequate size and shape of cities, and (d) the bicycle's standing as a major industry in China. Hence, the importance of bicycles as an urban transportation mode is expected to increase. With the intensive use of bicycles, several related problems were noted: one is the high rate of traffic accidents involving bicycles, and another is the traffic congestion due to heavy bicycle traffic. Several measures to overcome these problems are being studied in China, such as reducing bicycle usage through the intensive construction of subways and properly managing bicycle traffic on the basis of basic studies related to the characteristics of bicycle flow. Language: en |