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August 13, 2008 at 2:46pm
by admin 
It is one thing to contemplate the enormity of 1.3 billion people. It is another thing to consider all the things that can be associated with that number of people. For many years bicycles were the preferred means of transportation in Beijing. They were relatively inexpensive, they could be easily produced and with a small family it was not difficult to transport everyone, including a child, with just two bicycles.
This scene at Tiananmen Square in Beijing illustrates some of the unseen complications of how to manage transportation for so many people. I think the hard part is actually identifying which bike is yours.
The next question though is now that cars are preferred over bicycles, where to park them all, not to mention the challenge of accommodating all the cars on the roads. Just another nightmare.
1 Comments
#1. BlueTaipan 09.07.2008
I’ve been visiting China since 1985 and continue to be OVERwhelmed by the changes. Brought my family with me for the first time in 1988 as part of a “vacation.” But, little did we know what was going to happen in Tiananmen Square just a few short months later.
We stayed at the Sheraton which may have been the only Western hotel in Beijing. My family was dumbstruck. The ONLY cars were taxis, owned by businesses, and those belonging to the government. We hired a car to go to the Great Wall and there were NO cars on these super highways [and I mean SUPER].
But, they were more than highways, they were backup landing strips to be used should Taipan, the US, or other enemies bombed the main airports.
It is impossible to believe how China has changed….if, you can call it change.
Can’t wait to get back.
Enjoyed your images.
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