Historical Pics of Beijing's traffic development

Found some interesting pics on the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau (TMB) website. Some of these pics might bring back memories for the resident MCM old-timers (probably from the 1980s).

Starting with 1949, when the TMB was formed. It looks like a parade (band in the back of the flower-decorated truck).

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/40/004.jpg

Moving into the 1950s:

Chairman Mao with the new Russian Ambassador. Apparently this is the first official motorcycle escort. Are these solo CJs? Were CJs even being made in China, at that point (1957)?

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/002.jpg

Early classes of how to be a responsible pedestrian when crossing a road:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/006.jpg

An early Traffic Policeman helping an old woman cross the street, through busy Beijing traffic:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/007.jpg

A 1950 "Traffic Management Vehicle":

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/001.jpg

The first traffic control officer (1958), directing traffic at Tiananmen Square. Interestingly, this elevated concrete platform is still there (although traffic lights are now overhead), and is actually still used from time to time:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/003.jpg

Moving into the 1960s:

I don't know where in Beijing this is, but it must be an important intersection because the platform is doubled.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/60/001.jpg

Traffic must have started to build in the 1960s, as it became necessary to paint lines down the middle of the road (although I doubt it had much of an effect):

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/60/003.jpg

Moving into the 1970s:

Progress - the "old-style" of officer controlled intersection, with the "new-style" of overhead traffic lights visible:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/001.jpg

and this is how those overhead traffic lights were managed:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/005.jpg

I am not sure what is going on here, but perhaps it is a Traffic Engineer designing the Ring Road system?

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/002.jpg

And perhaps this is a Driver's Education class? Probably for bus and/or truck driving. One timeless thing appears certain - that young guy seems have a twinkle in his eye as he admires the pretty young girl.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/006.jpg

By the late 1970s, things are starting to get a little hectic:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/009.jpg

Moving into the 1980s (the start of "opening up to the West"):

Which MCM member is riding in front of the bus? Euphonius, is that you? That "motor-something" was probably regarded as the equivalent of a Harley full-dresser back then. Lots of "face" to be riding one of these, no doubt. Now, take a look at the rider's hat ... we will see him again, in another pic:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/003.jpg

I like this next pic ... a 1980s radar speed trap, hiding behind the bushes.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/005.jpg

Once again, helping an old person cross the street, except now there are vehicles to contend with, not just bicycles.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/006.jpg

This also looks like a motor-something. I wonder if the rider was required to walk it across, or if it was broken down?

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/007.jpg

Another motorcycle escort, using big bikes. I really can't tell what they are. Maybe CJ24 side valves with those heads hanging off the side? Don't know.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/010.jpg

Is this the lone rider shown earlier, the guy that was riding a motor-scoot in front of a bus? He is probably getting fined for not having his "inspection sticker" properly mounted. You're not alone, buddy ... I know how you feel!

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/014.jpg

A "modern" Traffic Management propoganda vehicle (circa 1984). I certainly wouldn't want this thing stopping next to me at a traffic light.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/017.jpg

A 1986 picture of Chang An (the main road that goes East/West through Beijing, past the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc.) Starting to see scooters. Those scooter riders must have enjoyed greatly elevated social status to have motorized two-wheels ... how attitudes have changed!

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/018.jpg

Tiananmen Square (circa 1989 ... hmmmm, interesting time frame/location). I see a motorcycle riding there - motorcycles are now forbidden from riding there.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/022.jpg

Moving into the 1990s (an "opened up" China):

This pic is interesting. It is a "foreigner" working as a traffic management guard. I'm envious, as sometimes I would love to do that job for a day. Give me one of those red flags, and I'll straighten things up!

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/90/005.jpg

And here is a "modern" radar trap (circa 1999). I bet that "modern" radar gun is heavy! I think that is a Suzuki GN? I have never seen a manned radar trap in China ... not once! Only the speed cameras.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/90/008.jpg

Beijing traffic, September 2012:

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/a...11cdd2a407.jpg

==========

Historical pictures sourced from the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau website. Website, with more pics, here.

I would have loved to have been here when bicycles were regarded as an elevated status symbol, sure wish the govt had been able to forcast the explosive growth to control traffic better. Hindsight, but moving forward when are they going to start teaching residents not to walk off into a street while texting or playing games on their phones. I just got back from a one day trip to Hong Kong, ahhh the orderliness, so refreshing. I think a shirt is in order reading, Hong Kong- What China could have been.

Scratchndent

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

Found some interesting pics on the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau (TMB) website. Some of these pics might bring back memories for the resident MCM old-timers (probably from the 1980s).

Starting with 1949, when the TMB was formed. It looks like a parade (band in the back of the flower-decorated truck).

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/40/004.jpg

Moving into the 1950s:

Chairman Mao with the new Russian Ambassador. Apparently this is the first official motorcycle escort. Are these solo CJs? Were CJs even being made in China, at that point (1957)?

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/002.jpg

Early classes of how to be a responsible pedestrian when crossing a road:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/006.jpg

An early Traffic Policeman helping an old woman cross the street, through busy Beijing traffic:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/007.jpg

A 1950 "Traffic Management Vehicle":

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/001.jpg

The first traffic control officer (1958), directing traffic at Tiananmen Square. Interestingly, this elevated concrete platform is still there (although traffic lights are now overhead), and is actually still used from time to time:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/50/003.jpg

Moving into the 1960s:

I don't know where in Beijing this is, but it must be an important intersection because the platform is doubled.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/60/001.jpg

Traffic must have started to build in the 1960s, as it became necessary to paint lines down the middle of the road (although I doubt it had much of an effect):

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/60/003.jpg

Moving into the 1970s:

Progress - the "old-style" of officer controlled intersection, with the "new-style" of overhead traffic lights visible:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/001.jpg

and this is how those overhead traffic lights were managed:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/005.jpg

I am not sure what is going on here, but perhaps it is a Traffic Engineer designing the Ring Road system?

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/002.jpg

And perhaps this is a Driver's Education class? Probably for bus and/or truck driving. One timeless thing appears certain - that young guy seems have a twinkle in his eye as he admires the pretty young girl.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/006.jpg

By the late 1970s, things are starting to get a little hectic:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/70/009.jpg

Moving into the 1980s (the start of "opening up to the West"):

Which MCM member is riding in front of the bus? Euphonius, is that you? That "motor-something" was probably regarded as the equivalent of a Harley full-dresser back then. Lots of "face" to be riding one of these, no doubt. Now, take a look at the rider's hat ... we will see him again, in another pic:

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/003.jpg

I like this next pic ... a 1980s radar speed trap, hiding behind the bushes.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/005.jpg

Once again, helping an old person cross the street, except now there are vehicles to contend with, not just bicycles.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/006.jpg

This also looks like a motor-something. I wonder if the rider was required to walk it across, or if it was broken down?

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/007.jpg

Another motorcycle escort, using big bikes. I really can't tell what they are. Maybe CJ24 side valves with those heads hanging off the side? Don't know.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/010.jpg

Is this the lone rider shown earlier, the guy that was riding a motor-scoot in front of a bus? He is probably getting fined for not having his "inspection sticker" properly mounted. You're not alone, buddy ... I know how you feel!

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/014.jpg

A "modern" Traffic Management propoganda vehicle (circa 1984). I certainly wouldn't want this thing stopping next to me at a traffic light.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/017.jpg

A 1986 picture of Chang An (the main road that goes East/West through Beijing, past the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc.) Starting to see scooters. Those scooter riders must have enjoyed greatly elevated social status to have motorized two-wheels ... how attitudes have changed!

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/018.jpg

Tiananmen Square (circa 1989 ... hmmmm, interesting time frame/location). I see a motorcycle riding there - motorcycles are now forbidden from riding there.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/80/022.jpg

Moving into the 1990s (an "opened up" China):

This pic is interesting. It is a "foreigner" working as a traffic management guard. I'm envious, as sometimes I would love to do that job for a day. Give me one of those red flags, and I'll straighten things up!

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/90/005.jpg

And here is a "modern" radar trap (circa 1999). I bet that "modern" radar gun is heavy! I think that is a Suzuki GN? I have never seen a manned radar trap in China ... not once! Only the speed cameras.

http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/Portals/0/oldpic/90/008.jpg

Beijing traffic, September 2012:

http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/china/a...11cdd2a407.jpg

==========

Historical pictures sourced from the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau website. Website, with more pics, here.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

Chairman Mao with the new Russian Ambassador. Apparently this is the first official motorcycle escort. Are these solo CJs? Were CJs even being made in China, at that point (1957)?

---

Wow cool photo! Those must be some of the first ever CJ750s, since 57 was the first year of production. From what i understand they were using russian engines in a chinese frame for the first year.

Heard an interesting tidbit from an old-timer.

In the 80s, for those very privileged few who had a motorcycle, there were 42 liters of petrol provided each quarter (3 months), by coupon. A rider would "purchase" fuel from one of the very few stations using coupons (1 coupon = 1 liter). You can still find examples of these coupons in the antique markets and, interestingly, the collector value (about 10 rmb/coupon) is about the same as today's price of fuel. Also, they don't have an expiry date - I wonder what would happen if you showed up at a station with a handful of these things?

There weren't many privately-owned motorcycles in Beijing. The "majority" of these few were Qingqi 15s for the important people, Jialing 50s for the very important people, and Xingfu 250s for the elite.