Bicycle Evolution in China: From the 1900s to the Present

TLDR

The article reviews four phases of bicycle evolution in China—initial entry and slow growth (1900s–1978), rapid growth (1978–1995), use decline (1995–2002), and policy diversification (2002–present)—and highlights electric bikes and public bikesharing as transitional modes toward integrated bicycle and public transport systems. The study examines two bicycle innovations—electric bikes and public bikesharing—as mechanisms for enhancing mobility. Four policy lessons from electric bike experience and five operational lessons from early public bikesharing were identified.

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines four phases in bicycle evolution in China from initial entry and slow growth (1900s to 1978), to rapid growth (1978 to 1995), bicycle use reduction (1995 to 2002), and policy diversification (2002 to present). Two bicycle innovations, electric bikes, and public bikesharing (the shared use of a bicycle fleet), are also explored in this article. Electric bikes could provide a transitional mode on the pathway to bicycle and public transportation integration or to small battery electric cars. Four lessons have been learned from China's electric bike experience relevant to government policy and management. Public bikesharing represents an important step towards integrating the bicycle with bus, metro, and rail systems. Five early operational lessons have been identified from China's limited public bikesharing experience.