Expat cyclist envisions bike lane service stops

Expat cyclist envisions bike lane service stops

• Source: Global Times
• [09:53 March 15 2011]
• Comments

Cycling enthusiasts ready for a ride from the Drum Tower to Chaoyang Park to promote a low carbon campaign in March 2010. Photo: Wang Zi

By Li Shuang

As part of a research paper on the city's bicycle culture, a Beijing-based cycling enthusiast and urban planner envisions a chain of roadside "modern bike service stations" in a bid to promote cycling in the capital.

Shannon Bufton, cycling enthusiast from Australia and co-founder of Smarter Than Cars (STC), is currently conducting research on the changes between Beijing's past and current bicycle cultures.

As part of his research, he envisions "a modern version of bike service stops", which would provide repair services, coffee and a place for cyclists to meet up along bike lanes throughout the city.

Bufton got the idea while finding that in Beijing, "you can get many things conveniently along the bike lane, from fruits and vegetables to haircuts."

The findings of Bufton's research will be presented at the World Congress of Architects, dubbed "the Olympics of architects," in Tokyo this September.

With a background in urban planning, Bufton sees bicycles as a more efficient use of the city's transportation resources.

In addition to STC, Bufton is also supporting Bohai or Bust, a charity event in April hosted by the Schoolhouse restaurant at Mutianyu, where cyclists explore Beijing's Bohai township while helping raise money for the township's elderly.

Erin Henshaw, another bicycle lover and charity events manager with The Hutong cultural center admires Bufton's vision. "I think it is a fantastic idea," Henshaw told the Global Times, "especially the idea of having standardized service, as you never know if repairmen use the right parts or charge the right amount for service. "

Henshaw is organizing a Bohai or Bust kick-off party at The Hutong this Saturday, with all proceeds going towards Bufton's research. "It's good to see Beijing's cyclist community becoming closer," she said.