Bicycles in China

By: Jake Lau

The Early Years

Modern bicycle invented ~1860s. Missionaries Port Cities Military use?

http://www.eva.hi-ho.ne.jp

The Early Years

1st Chinese cartoon with bicycle

Discourages the use Still too foreign

http://www.bicyclekingdom.com

The Early Years

Rickshaws Bicycles too expensive Disgraceful

http://www.yican.com.au

The Early Years

1890s first Chinese cyclists appear
Students Businessmen, journalists Wealthy youth
http://www.geekologie.com

http://www.acrylics.ca

http://www.briefcases.us

The Early Years

A break in culture More western products Shanghai was a major bike importer
Mostly high quality or racing bikes
http://www.loiclemeur.com

http://portwatch.files.wordpress.com

Popularity Increases
1899 Suzhou prohibits cycling in narrow streets

www.vosssigns.com

Popularity Increases
More imports brings price down Different kinds
Transport Men Women Children
http://i.treehugger.com

Popularity Increases

The other market

Sing-song girls

http://www.geekologie.com

Popularity Increases
<10,000 in 1925 20,000 in 1930
Postmen Police

Shanghai starts production 1930-1940s bikes reach rural China

http://www.auburnhills.org

Popularity Increases
1949 Peoples Republic of China
Bikes are supported by government 5-year-plans

Subsidies

1958 China has 1,000,000 bikes! Street planning with bike lanes

http://www.cba.csus.edu

Bicycles in China Today

Red means GO?

http://www.smh.com.au http://timesonline.typepad.com

Bicycles in China Today

Bike Lanes? Who uses them?
Bikes Buses Trucks Cars Delivery tricycles Motocycles

http://www.treehugger.com

For what?
Riding Driving Parking Making a cell phone call. Swimming?

http://www.eskimo.com

Bicycles in China Today

Rent bicycles

http://picasaweb.google.com

Bicycles in China Today

http://yeinjee.com

Bicycles in China Today

2003 - 105 million
73 million in China 58% of world market

Will the Car Replace the Bicycle?

blog.wired.com

Will the Car Replace the Bicycle?

http://www.flatrock.org.nz

The End

The End
References
Peter S. Goodman. March 8, 2004. Car Culture Captivates China. Washington Post Foreign Page A01 Andrew Ritchie and Rob van der Plas (Eds.), Cycle History 13. Proceedings, 13th International Cycling History Conference. San Francisco: Van der Plas Publications 2003, S. 94-102. Elizabeth Mygatt. (2005) Bicycle Production Remains Strong Worldwide. Earth Policy Institute. http://www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/Bike/2005.htm