China was once known as the Bicycle Kingdom, but with increased affluence has come increased motorized traffic and government restrictions against bikes as China is now the second largest car market in the world behind the United States. China is on track to overtake the United States in the length of its long distance highways in the next decade.
Paradoxically, Shanghai may become the once and future bicycle kingdom. In an effort to tame traffic, the Shanghai rapid transit system now promotes bikes for transportation in Shanghai with an experimental bike sharing program. The trial program by Shanghai Metro at a train station encourages people to take transit and ride the rental bikes to their jobs. Read more.
Bike share in Montreal
The city public parking administration Montreal, Quebec also has a new “Public Bike System.” They plan to launch with 2,400 bikes distributed at 300 rental stations in the spring of 2009. 40 bikes are now available at four pilot stations, with “an urban SWAT team” informing the public about the project and gathering street-level reactions. Read more.