Learning from Cities— The 2nd Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation
054 position in public transport in China. The passenger share ratio of Hangzhou’s public transportation increased to 22.2% in 2007 from 7.8% in 1987, making great contribution to the social and economic development of Hangzhou. Nevertheless, a survey conducted by local organizations indicates that 80% of the interviewees are still unsatisfied with the current traffic situation of Hangzhou and 84.74% of them think the traffic congestion has lowered their life quality. Such public opinions thus make a new way of convenient, economic, and safe public transportation extremely urgent. The CPC Hangzhou Committee and Hangzhou Municipality started to plan a public bicycle program in March, 2008, which was for the first time in China, so as to alleviate the “Two Difficults” problem in urban traffic.
□ Citizens and travelers cycle along the beautiful West Lake
Public Bicycle Service Development Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as “Hangzhou Public Bicycle Service”) in April, 2008. The company is responsible for the total construction, operation and service management of Hangzhou’s public bicycle system, introducing the practice of free rent within one hour and staged rent beyond one hour. The first row of 61
Implementation of the Initiative 1. Planning and Preparation
(1) The Founding of Hangzhou Public Bicycle Service Development Company (in 2008) Coordinated by Hangzhou Public Transport Group Co., Ltd., the CPC Hangzhou Committee and Hangzhou Municipality established Hangzhou
public bicycle service outlets was open to the public in May 2008 and a total of 2800 public bicycles were put on trial. (2) Making Long-term Public Bicycle Development Planning (2008 to 2010) The CPC Hangzhou Committee and Hangzhou Municipality developed the Opinions on Strengthening Construction and Management of Public Bicycle System and Opinions on Further Practice of Preferential Development Strategy of