The Problem
Twenty years ago, Beijing had a very efficient and safe bike system that was used by 80% of the population. Now, this number has dropped to less than 20% and cars have become the preferred option, resulting in congested, dangerous, and smelly roads. This is not helped by the fact that China is the biggest car market in the world with one million new cars on the roads every month. In 2008, officials ordered car owners to only drive on certain days of the week, but congestion did not ease.
One year after the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the traffic congestion had increased by 4.3% in the morning rush hour and 6.1% in the evening rush hour. A 2011 report by Beijing Zhonglin Assets Co. Ltd showed economic losses due to traffic and pollution of 105.6 billion yuan; 7.5% of the city’s GDP. This included the environmental damage, 45 billion yuan. This problem is worsening in all of China’s urban areas, even the small cities. Already in Beijing, there are over 200 cars for every 1000 people.
One year after the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the traffic congestion had increased by 4.3% in the morning rush hour and 6.1% in the evening rush hour. A 2011 report by Beijing Zhonglin Assets Co. Ltd showed economic losses due to traffic and pollution of 105.6 billion yuan; 7.5% of the city’s GDP. This included the environmental damage, 45 billion yuan. This problem is worsening in all of China’s urban areas, even the small cities. Already in Beijing, there are over 200 cars for every 1000 people.
The Solution
Municipal officials plan to increase the number of cyclists on the road by 25% in the next five years by installing bike ports all around the city, especially near public transport. A bike rental scheme with 50,000 bikes available for hire is also being planned. However, to do this they must first ensure the roads are clean and safe.
This can be done by putting congestion fees on busy roads, something used in many cities, so that car users have to pay for using certain roads. Congestion fees do have a big effect as shown in a 7 month trial in Stockholm in 2006, which resulted in 20% less traffic and air quality that improved by 10%. In recent years, Stockholm’s air quality has improved greatly. Beijing and several other Chinese cities are considering and researching the idea, but none have taken action and there are no set dates.
Before the congestion fee, city officials must also improve the public transport system to encourage more residents to use it. Currently, the government subsidises 18 billion yuan on public transport every year. Officials want to raise the cost of public transport, and there are plans to increase rush hour fares for the subway. However, this will discourage people to use public transport and more people will use their cars. Instead, the government could use the funds raised from the congestion fee and spend it on public transport, creating a better system and reducing the amount of cars on the road at the same time. One city that that has been doing this is London.
The solution to the traffic and air pollution problem must be done step by step. Before the bike rental schemes, congestion fees and public transport system improvements, Beijing must collect data through thorough research that analyses transportation and its impact on urban areas. Currently, there is not enough data to put new schemes and policies into action and this is one of the main reasons why the traffic problem has gotten so bad.
This can be done by putting congestion fees on busy roads, something used in many cities, so that car users have to pay for using certain roads. Congestion fees do have a big effect as shown in a 7 month trial in Stockholm in 2006, which resulted in 20% less traffic and air quality that improved by 10%. In recent years, Stockholm’s air quality has improved greatly. Beijing and several other Chinese cities are considering and researching the idea, but none have taken action and there are no set dates.
Before the congestion fee, city officials must also improve the public transport system to encourage more residents to use it. Currently, the government subsidises 18 billion yuan on public transport every year. Officials want to raise the cost of public transport, and there are plans to increase rush hour fares for the subway. However, this will discourage people to use public transport and more people will use their cars. Instead, the government could use the funds raised from the congestion fee and spend it on public transport, creating a better system and reducing the amount of cars on the road at the same time. One city that that has been doing this is London.
The solution to the traffic and air pollution problem must be done step by step. Before the bike rental schemes, congestion fees and public transport system improvements, Beijing must collect data through thorough research that analyses transportation and its impact on urban areas. Currently, there is not enough data to put new schemes and policies into action and this is one of the main reasons why the traffic problem has gotten so bad.