This article was published in the JoongAng Daily focusing on China’s shared bicycle system. As a assistant editor, I also edited other reporter’s works as well as working on my own article.
Hajoon Song
Claudia Shin
[30-3]-Final Draft
August 24th, 2023
Bike Sharing Program in China
Bike sharing systems have become increasingly popular in China in recent years and have been praised for their convenience and affordability. According to a report by the World Bank, bike sharing has many benefits, including saving energy and reducing carbon emissions. In 2017, bike sharing reduced carbon emissions by around seven million tons, with a total riding distance of around thirty billion kilometers. The report also noted that bike sharing has changed Chinese urban residents’ mobility habits, with people taking advantage of the convenience of shared bikes to travel short distances.
One of the key benefits of bike sharing in China is its affordability. According to a study by Dong Fureng Institute of Economic and Social Development of bike-sharing users in China’s first and second-tier cities, the low cost of bike sharing is a major factor in its popularity. The study found that users’ willingness to pay for bike sharing was influenced by their perception of the value they received from the service. Bike sharing is also seen as a cost-effective alternative to other forms of transportation, such as private cars or taxis.
Another benefit of bike sharing in China is its convenience. Unlike traditional bike-sharing systems with fixed stations and parking docks, the dockless model allows riders to lock and unlock a GPS-enabled bike using a mobile app. This makes it easier for riders to find and use bikes, and also allows them to park the vehicles anywhere when they are finished using them. This flexibility has made bike sharing a popular choice for short trips around the city.
However, the rapid growth of bike sharing in China has also brought some challenges. One of the biggest problems has been the oversupply of bikes, which has led to a waste of resources and an ugly cityscape due to the disorderly parking. To address these issues, the Chinese government has adopted regulations to oversee the bike-sharing industry, including requirements for companies to obtain licenses and limit the number of bikes they deploy.
Despite these challenges, the benefits of bike sharing in China are clear. In addition to its affordability and convenience, bike sharing has also been shown to have health benefits. A case study of Shanghai found that using shared bicycles as a mode of transportation may help users conserve energy and decrease emissions while also increasing their regular physical activity. Individually, it is very convenient for me to easily pick up any bicycle and ride it to school. The cheap price and fun ride makes me delighted.
In conclusion, bike sharing has become an important part of urban transportation in China, providing an affordable and convenient alternative to other forms of transportation. While there have been some challenges associated with the rapid growth of bike sharing, the benefits of the system greatly outweigh these problems. As the bike-sharing industry continues to evolve, it will be important for all market participants, including the government, bike-sharing companies, and bike users, to work together to ensure that the system remains sustainable and beneficial for all.
Hajoon Song, Grade 9
International School of Beijing
The Bicycles Sharing System in China is widely accessible in all locations.
[Source: Author, Hajoon Song]
People can simply take a shot of the QR code of the bike and pay 0.3$ for a ride up to 1.5km.
[Source: Author, Hajoon Song]