Posts Tagged ‘SARS’
Bicycles and other traffic in China
In days gone by, talk of China would conjure up sepia images of streets crowded with men on bicycles. Times have changed.
During the swinging 60′s and 70′s, the must-have items for a marriage in China were a wrist watch, sewing machine and bicycle. Now there are cheap rip-off watches everywhere, someone else does the sewing and almost everyone wants an automobile. Yes, the monarchy of the ‘Kingdom of Bicycles’ has been overthrown.
Push bikes are gathering dust in China as the locals opt for cars.
Back in 1949 when The People’s Republic of China was formed, the party in Beijing opted for the bicycle as the people’s vehicle and started a massive production drive, making two wheels and a chain a big part of their first Five-Year plan. Pedal power took off.
My wife Ellen and I are currently living in China, bumbling our way around this fascinating and fast-changing country. We kicked off our stay with a semester of Intensive Mandarin studies at Beijing Language and Culture University and are now living in Shanghai. These posts cover some of my experiences, views and curious facts about the Middle Kingdom. Please let me know what you think!
Subscribe to RSS Feeds{ Santa Suit - now there is an idea - I almost fill one of those out too so I suspect I'll be mobbed! } – May 09, 4:58 AM
{ Pack the Santa suit - the village kids will love it! Have a blast and let me know how you get on... } – May 08, 6:54 AM
{ Gorgeous pictures! Thank you. Can you email me and let me know how Royal is? I knew him years ago, and he is one of... } – Apr 11, 10:35 AM
