Sign of the times: Expanded bike paths, free bikes downtown, and greater amenities for cyclists, such as access to public transit, are the vogue in much of western Europe.
In Chinas capital, Beijing, meanwhile, where the bike has reigned supreme and urban streets are divided in half, for bikes and cars respectively, rising congestion and affluence have brought the first reported closing of a busy through road to bikes in an attempt to unsnarl traffic.
Beijing newspapers carried the news of the closing of East Xisi Street to bikes on their front pages. Traffic police said that up to 6,000 bikes an hour traveled the street in peak periods before the closing.
The new 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. rule forces cyclists to detour down a nearby street, giving East Xisi two lanes of cars in each direction instead of the traditional 50/50 split. Beijings estimated nine million bikes are still the most popular mode of transport, but taxis, private cars owned by the newly affluent, official vehicles, and company cars are jamming the capitals streets in rising numbers: 1.2 million at last count.
On the other hand, reports from France say the amended National Traffic Code that went into effect this year includes provisions that permit bikes in pedestrian zones. Moreover, the code allows children up to age 8 to ride bikes on sidewalks, and requires drivers to leave a space of one and one-half meters, about five feet, when overtaking cyclists. The revised code also authorizes mayors to take steps that promote the amenity and security of bikers in local areas.
Current estimates put the number of bikes in France at about 20 million, with between two and three million sold each year. The number of cars approximates 26 million.
The French Club des villes cyclables (club of bike-friendly cities), which represents about 300 communities with a combined population of 12 million, recently published a handbook of bike-friendly measures in French cities with 25 case studies of best practices. Bordeaux, Grenoble, Montpellier, and Strasbourg were singled out for their exemplary actions.
On the occasion of the most recent club meeting, in Annecy in September, St. Paul, the principal city of the French Caribbean island of La Reunion, received the "Golden Bike" award for its fleet of 60 two-passenger pedicabs managed as an alternative transport system by Semto, the local transit provider. The municipality also provides city employees with service bikes and has equipped local minibuses and taxis with bike racks.
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