Letters
Updated: 2013-08-27 06:57
(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Rights of cyclists and pedestrians
Comment on "Beijing spends big on sidewalk, bicycle-lane work" (China Daily, Aug 19)
Beijing's roads are almost entirely occupied by vehicles. It's really dangerous to ride a bike on many roads in Beijing: Cars will go by fast, the drivers blasting their horns. It's also difficult for pedestrians to walk on Beijing's sidewalks, as many of them have become parking lots. The roads should not be fully occupied by vehicles because cyclists and pedestrians deserve the same rights as vehicle drivers on the roads. And to some extent, the rights of cyclists and pedestrians should be given priority, because they are not only disadvantaged groups on the road compared with vehicle drivers, but also use a more healthy, environmentally friendly transportation mode that should be promoted.
It is good news that the Beijing government will invest a huge amount of money in improving the capital's sidewalks and bicycle lanes. It will help people to ride bicycles and walk more safely in Beijing. But I'm afraid better bicycle lanes and sidewalks are not enough to change the public's transportation habits. Beijing's environment, especially its air quality, is too bad to encourage people to walk or cycle. Even if there are better sidewalks and bicycle lanes, many people will still be unwilling to take the risk of breathing in polluted air by walking or riding a bicycle in the open air. Thus if the authorities really want to encourage environmental and healthy transportation modes like walking and riding bicycles, they should also make great efforts to clean up the air.
Kang Tianyu, via e-mail
Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.
(China Daily 08/27/2013 page9)
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Righting the wrongs of patent rights |
Universities seek more enrollment from abroad |
Public opposition defuses nuke plans |
New study reveals corruption pattern |
Wild Africa: The new attraction to Chinese tourists |
Graduates hope to bust graft |
Today's Top News
PLA Navy heads for routine drill in W.Pacific
Business confidence 'buoying growth'
Prosecutors seek heavy punishment for Bo Xilai
UN to contact US over spying report
Caution urged in online reporting of violence
China to cement ties with Singapore
Group renting debate revived by boy's death
Public mixed over changes to train ticket returns
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |