Time for cars to compromise

Though it's unarguable that cars do offer a measure of convenience for people's daily life, I believe its time for the car industry to make some compromise, especially in China.

The automotive market in China is growing at a faster pace than almost anywhere of the world, but of course at the expanse of rural congestions and heavy pollutions. How my friends remember the blue skies of Beijing during the summer Olympics held in the city last year!

I appreciate our government's supportive plan to boost the development and purchase of new-energy vehicles, but it may take some time to make it the commercially viable. Also Shanghai has a license plate auction system, but that will expire after the 2010 Expo.

I heard that most world big cities are promoting the program of bike sharing to reduce car emission – why not in China?

For example, Paris has currently grabbed the lead in a planned, sponsored program of bike sharing. Over 20,000 bikes are available for free use at 1,451 stations by the people of Paris, who can find a station every 300 meters. Each of Paris' program bikes travels an average of 16,000 miles a year! The city launched its program in 2007.

Actually, bike sharing is spreading rapidly. Stockholm, Sweden; Valencia, Spain; Milan, Italy; and London also have bike share programs. London mayor is a strong advocate of urban cycling and bike share. The city plans to open its program with 6,000 bikes. The London plan calls for 40,000 bike trips a day!

Traffic jam at Beijing street