| Around the world, the bicycle
is a favorite method of transportation, especially Line in China. With its large urban population, China ranks first in the world in bicycle production and use. In fact, China is responsible for half of the world's bike ownership, with 10 million bicycles found in Beijing alone. This amounts (5) to about one bicycle for every two residents, and makes cycling the most popular form of transportation in the capital. However, as economic prosperity has increased, individual car ownership has also risen. This shift has contributed to already serious problems with urban pollution and traffic congestion. As a result, the government has encouraged even (10) more bicycle use. Bike lanes have been added to city streets, and more bicycle parking lots have been created throughout Beijing. Still, critics point out that cars are much more convenient for many daily activities in a large city. Only time will tell if government measures will ensure that bicycles remain the favorite method of transportation. |