IN-FOCUS Transport The bicycle and new e-bikes are a favourite mode of transport for many Chinese a working prototype of the Roboscooter, a lightweight, folding electric motor scooter, developed with Sanyang Motors and Taiwan’s Technology Research Institute. “Barcelona, Zaragoza and Taipei have shown a level of interest in adopting it. The Roboscooter will be a precursor to the City Car, because the concepts are the same,” said Mr. Chin. The precedent for this type of shared personal transport is the bicycle-sharing scheme that has been set up in European <strong>cities</strong>. The first such programme was initially launched three years ago in Lyon, France’s third largest city, as an ambitious project to cut traffic, reduce emissions, improve parking and enhance the city’s image as a greener, quieter more relaxed place. Called Cyclocity, it was deemed so successful that Barcelona, Stockholm, Toulouse and Paris quickly followed suit with their own systems. 34 u r b a n WORLD November 2008 Ph o t o © kA r e n Wi n t o n “The city’s 3,000 rental bikes have racked up about 16 million kilometres since the programme started in May 2005,” said Lyon’s Deputy Mayor, Jean-Louis Touraine. “We believe we have saved 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being spewed into the air. Over- “The ultimate goal is to create a system whereby people can select an appropriate vehicle for the mission at hand, be it scooter, bicycle or car.” all vehicle traffic in the city is down by four percent and bicycle use has tripled, as the programme has boosted a boom in private bicycle use and sales.” The Cyclocity concept, was developed from the communal ideals of the hippy 1960s and 1970s, when bikes were left on the street for anyone to use. Eventually these “bicycle sharing” schemes failed as the bicycles were either stolen or became irreparable. Cyclocity relies on sturdier vandal-proof bicycles and a credit card or refundable deposit is required to discourage theft. “It has completely transformed the landscape of Lyon – everywhere you see people on bikes,” said M. Touraine. “The programme was designed not just to modify the equilibrium between transport modes and reduce air pollution, but also to modify the image of the city and to have a city where humans occupy a larger space.” The Bicing system, set-up in Barcelona last year, is jointly funded through streetcar parking fees, which contribute €2.23 million a year and also the yearly subscription fee of €24, which makes it the cheapest transport option available. The first 30 minutes are free and thereafter increase in half-hour blocks of a €0.30 charge. Use of two hours or more is discouraged with a €3 charge per hour. This ensures that each bicycle is used between 10 and 15 times a day. Carmen Gramage, an office worker who lives just outside the centre of Barcelona, says that it gives an incredible sense of freedom. “It’s a great concept. I use it almost everyday. Most of the time it’s faster than the bus or metro, especially for short distances, a lot cheaper and it helps reduce pollution.” The bicycle stations are conveniently linked into already existing metro stations, bus stops and car parks to assist in seamless transport connections. Due to its success and popularity with users many other <strong>cities</strong> are keen to introduce their own systems. These include London, Dublin, Sydney, Melbourne and Toronto. The bicycle itself is also undergoing technological improvements. Synonymous with China for years as a form of transport, it still holds appeal to those Chinese who have not been caught up in the wave of wealth sweeping across the country. More than 20 million e-bikes — bicycles with electric motors that assist the rider — were built in 2007, according to China’s Clean Revolution, a new report by Climate Group. The e-bike outpaced domestic auto sales in 2007 two to one, and holds a market value worth USD 6 billion. Giant Bike Co., one of the largest bicycle companies in the world, makes the e-bike and is aiming to produce at least five new models and five upgrades of previous models every year, which will enable the company to ship over a million e-bikes each year to <strong>cities</strong> all over the world. Merging all three systems is what the team at MIT are aiming for. “The ultimate goal is to create a system whereby people can select an appropriate vehicle for the mission at hand, be it scooter, bicycle or car,” said Mr. Chin. Changing people’s ideas about transport is also a key for the future systems to work. “The technology is here and the time is ripe.” u
Transport IN-FOCUS u r b a n November 2008 WORLD 35
Change language