A nightmare on Beijing streets
By People's Daily | 2012-5-22
TRAFFIC jams plague both New York and Beijing, and yet you have totally different driving experiences in the two cities.
In New York, drivers often yield to each other, but in Beijing, drivers block one another.
For example, whenever a driver signals to change lanes in New York, others would make way for him or her. This public manner is unusual in Beijing.
That's why traffic order is much better in New York than in Beijing, although per capita ownership of private cars in New Your doubles that in Beijing.
In Beijing, drivers are not incentivized to do good. Those drivers who violate traffic rules or disregard public manners are seldom punished or shamed.
Over time, fewer and fewer drivers are willing to do good.
03-18-2013, 01:39 AM
Lao Jia Hou
3 Attachment(s)
Re: A nightmare on Beijing streets
There has been a lot of recent discussion on Chinese forums about a little "test" done in Beijing by some People's Party members (currently having the big meeting in Beijing).
One of the People's members is with Zongshen motorcycles. He, and two others, did the following:
1) Starting from the same point, at the same time, and with the same destination, used three different methods of transportation:
a) Scooter
b) Subway
c) Car
2) The time results were:
a) Scooter 10 minutes
b) Subway 16 minutes
c) Car 27 minutes
Anyone who lives near the center of Beijing will not be surprised by these results. Scooters rule! In addition, scooters never have parking problems or parking charges. Nor do scooters have to experience the sardine-can-like subway cars. However, Beijing's 2rmb subway charge (travel anywhere on the entire system, except the airport express) is still the best transportation deal!
Here is the original link, off motorfans Shanghai, as well as the pics:
Click on images for larger version, or just head to the motorfans link.
Yup, that's a JH600 in the background of the first pic. :icon10:
PS edit: I noticed that the rider doesn't have a front plate properly mounted ... although that name badge is probably more than sufficient, should he be stopped!
03-18-2013, 01:46 AM
euphonius
Re: A nightmare on Beijing streets
It's too bad they did not include "bicycle" in this test. Bicycles are not as fast as they once were in Beijing, but that's because the once-spacious and safe bicycle lanes have been given over to car parking, meaning they are now always filled with cars already parked and cars trying to find parking.
Beijing is world-class example of failed urban planning. Sad.
cheers
03-18-2013, 02:05 AM
Lao Jia Hou
Re: A nightmare on Beijing streets
Interestingly, a CCTV announcer said "this test cannot be properly 'judged' unless you use a bicycle." That announcement set off a flurry of motorfan netizens "judging" the CCTV announcer.
But, yeah, it would be interesting to see what a bicycle result would be.
03-18-2013, 02:38 AM
PeteZ
Re: A nightmare on Beijing streets
Yeah the commentator was the well-known CCTV presenter Bai Yan Song claiming something along the lines that he "strongly opposes the use of a motorcycle during the test because very few Beijing residents can ride a motorcycle due to very strict controls on motorcycle licensing". Lol waaaat? Literally EVERYONE in China can apply for a motorcycle license in Beijing so Mr Bai is either talking rubbish or he knows something that we don't.
TRAFFIC jams plague both New York and Beijing, and yet you have totally different driving experiences in the two cities.
It is a rare day in Beijing when I completely agree with a decision by the Traffic Management Bureau. Apparently, they have decided that it would be a good idea to put more pretty, young female traffic officers out on the street. Certainly makes sense to me!
Now, I've only visited New York City a few brief times, but I seem to recall the male traffic cops as being card-carrying members of Dunkin Donuts, with serious fire power strapped to their 48 inch waist belts.
In this case, I've gotta go with ...
China 1, USA 0
07-12-2013, 02:40 AM
Lao Jia Hou
Re: A nightmare on Beijing streets
Quote:
Originally Posted by euphonius
It's too bad they did not include "bicycle" in this test.
Apparently, the magazine/website will be doing another race later this year.
07-12-2013, 03:36 AM
prince666
1 Attachment(s)
Re: A nightmare on Beijing streets
[QUOTE=Lao Jia Hou;59970] Apparently, they have decided that it would be a good idea to put more pretty, young female traffic officers out on the street. [QUOTE]
Maybe china is taking a lesson out of North Korea books
It is a rare day in Beijing when I completely agree with a decision by the Traffic Management Bureau. Apparently, they have decided that it would be a good idea to put more pretty, young female traffic officers out on the street. Certainly makes sense to me!
Now, I've only visited New York City a few brief times, but I seem to recall the male traffic cops as being card-carrying members of Dunkin Donuts, with serious fire power strapped to their 48 inch waist belts.
In this case, I've gotta go with ...
China 1, USA 0
