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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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 Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject: Subway cars for bicycles |
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In an article about Lee Myung Bak's efforts to promote cycling there is mention of having subway carriages designated for cyclists in the future. Hopefully that might mean we'll be able to bring non-folding mountain bikes and road bikes on to the trains completely legally.
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Lee goes bike to basics
Wider bicycle use has become so crucial to President Lee Myung-baks green revolution that he devoted an entire regular policy address yesterday to promote it.
Bicycles are a partner of green growth. Bringing about a green revolution in our daily lives is the spirit of the times. Reinstating carbon-free bicycles as a major means of transportation is a must, Lee said in his fortnightly radio address. Lee has championed low-carbon, green growth as a national vision to promote economic advancement and tackle environmental challenges. Biking is a key component of his plans, along with the increased use of renewable energies, investment in eco-friendly technologies and building homes and offices that consume less energy.
In the 10-minute address, Lee promised to establish more bike paths nationwide, improve safety for riders and promote the related manufacturing industries. The eastern and western parts of the nation as well as central and southern parts will be interconnected through bike paths, thus promoting mutual understanding among the whole population of our country, Lee said. These major bike paths, like an artery, will also be connected to small bike routes in towns and cities that serve as auxiliary paths.
Lees address came with the start of a week-long bicycle themed event. The nine-day festival will kick off nationwide this weekend. The government plans to spend 1.25 trillion won ($950 billion) in laying bicycle-only routes stretching more than 3,000 kilometers nationwide by 2018, according to the Ministry of Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs. This year alone, the government has earmarked 69 billion won for the building of about 170 kilometers in model cycle lanes. Officials expect the infrastructure projects to create jobs and help overcome the current economic difficulties.
By 2012 when the project to revitalize the nations four major rivers will come to an end, the total length of bike paths will amount to 2,000 kilometers along the rivers, he said. There is a good chance for residents of less developed areas to vitalize their local businesses by attracting many bike riders. Lee described the bicycle riding as part of a green revolution of our daily lives to save energy, reduce pollution and improve health. Cyclists will be able to experience the aesthetics of slowness that cannot be enjoyed by car drivers, he said.
In Korea, only 1.2 percent of commutes are done with a bicycle in comparison to 14 percent in Japan and 10 percent Germany. The government aims to raise the percentage to 5 percent by 2012 and 10 percent by 2017. Lee promised efforts to make biking safer and more convenient. It is true that roads as they are currently built make it difficult to ride a bike to commute to and from work, school and the market. That is because the absence of bike paths makes it dangerous and inconvenient, he said. Bike paths will be well distinguished from pedestrian sidewalks and new insurance coverage will be developed for accidents and thefts. More bike stands will be put on streets and around facilities and cyclist-only carriages will be placed on subway trains, he added.
Lee also promised to boost the troubled domestic bike manufacturing industry and support the development of high-tech products. When the bike network is completed, the nation will need 10 million, 20 million bicycles. But how deplorable it will be if we have to import all the vehicles we need, he said. Korea imports more than 2 million bikes annually, mainly from China, the Netherlands and Canada. With many manufacturers relocating overseas to cut labor costs since the 1990s, only 20-30 domestic companies produce about 20,000 vehicles each year.
I hope to see more and more Korean companies begin to make bicycles soon. They should be able to develop core trend-setting, green technologies and apply them in manufacturing high value-added hybrid bikes, for both domestic use and export, he said.
The government recently announced plans to revive the industry by encouraging businesses to produce quality products including high-end mountain bikes, and commuter-style hybrids with a battery-charged motor that kicks in when going uphill, and bicycles with wireless navigation.
By Hwang Jang-jin |
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Forward Observer
Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Location: FOB Gloria
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject: Re: Subway cars for bicycles |
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| kiwiduncan wrote: |
These major bike paths, like an artery, will also be connected to small bike routes in towns and cities that serve as auxiliary paths.
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Which will be promptly taken over by street sellers and their wares just like the sidewalks in 90% of any urban area of Seoul... |
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exit86
Joined: 17 May 2006
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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This would be sweet if it ever comes to be. It is a blast riding downtown
late at night, clowning around on steps and jumps. Urban MTB is great, but I don't feel like always riding 10 miles through Seoul traffic to get
downtown.
It'd also be great to be able to subway out of the city for trail riding.
Hope these subway cars materialize. |
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kiknkorea
Joined: 16 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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| Good idea I would like to see happen. I have noticed Koreans with bikes on the subway before though. Must not have cared if it were legal or not. |
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technique
Joined: 23 Jan 2009
Location: Jamsil, Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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I have some Korean cycling friends. They told me that even though it's illegal to take your bike on the subway, no one cares as long as you're courteous. By courteous I mean taking your bike to the front or rear car, standing on that empty wall near the train operator's box, and removing the front wheel. My Korean friends also noted that I should play the dumb foreigner card if necessary.
On occasions where I see Koreans I don't know with bicycles on the subway, they have done exactly what I have written. |
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crossmr
Joined: 22 Nov 2008
Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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I would imagine that even with special cars they'd be prohibited during rush hour.
Which for some lines means all the time. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject: |
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| I took my folding bike into taxis in Seoul many times, but in other cities no drive would let me. I said bad words. |
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nosmallplans
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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| i've never really had issues taking my bike on the subway. just make sure you take it to the first or last car and lean it against the wall. |
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Blueberry
Joined: 15 Apr 2009
Location: Wonju
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| Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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I suppse they will put these right next to the "Women-Only" cars they talked about before the last election cycle..
Hint: Korean Politicians talk as much or more BS than your home country politicians do. |
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Milwaukiedave
Joined: 02 Oct 2004
Location: Goseong
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:21 am Post subject: |
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I noticed that the subway system here is very unfriendly toward people who use bikes. It's a shame because Korea should be promoting the use of a combination of use of public transportation (subway/bus) and biking.
Given this was a promise by LMB, it's pretty much good as gold it won't happen. |
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Crockpot2001
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| I took my folding bike into taxis in Seoul many times, but in other cities no drive would let me. I said bad words. |
With the upcoming Tour of Korea I've made several trips from Incheon to Seoul so I could ride with my team mates over the weekend. I sometimes go by cab with my bike in the back seat. I approach the cab with my bike, wheels already off, open the door, and insert the bike upside down in the back seat. I kind of rush it to ignore any protesting. I think the thing they hate the most is driving me to Seoul on Fridays knowing the return to incheon will suck at 6PM.
On the subway, I take off the wheels and wlk right on. Most have never seen a cyclist actually use the qucik releases so they assume it's a folding bike.
Regardless, dedicated bike cars will make my life better as I won't need to worry about someone rightfully bitching when I'm too tired to deal with it. |
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nosmallplans
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:12 am Post subject: |
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[quote="Crockpot2001"]
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Regardless, dedicated bike cars will make my life better as I won't need to worry about someone rightfully bitching when I'm too tired to deal with it. |
i was coming home from a shuttle run once and my bike was filthy and i had wiped out a few times so i was pretty busted up so when i entered the car i just laid down my bike, took the closest seat and conked out. lo and behold about half an hour later some guy shakes me awake and proceeds to yell at me about how much space i'm taking up and how dirty the bike was (it was filthy) and i look around to see a completely packed train car.
i decided to take the easy way out and looked him in the face and closed my eyes again. i think he tried to lift my bike up and lean it against the wall but it kept falling over onto him and after 3 or 4 attempts he just starts screaming at the top of his lungs and gets off the train.
before you say something about this being the reason korean's hate foreigners - i happen to be korean american and did not say a word through the entire encounter so he probably thought i was just an asshole cyclist... which i guess i was that afternoon. |
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Crockpot2001
Joined: 01 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:07 am Post subject: |
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[quote="nosmallplans"][quote="Crockpot2001"]
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
before you say something about this being the reason korean's hate foreigners - i happen to be korean american and did not say a word through the entire encounter so he probably thought i was just an asshole cyclist... which i guess i was that afternoon. |
You do know that I know this don't you? Or, were you simply making the statement for the benefit of others?
And you are an asshole cyclist  |
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nosmallplans
Joined: 10 Oct 2008
Location: noksapyeong
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Crockpot2001 wrote: |
| nosmallplans wrote: |
before you say something about this being the reason korean's hate foreigners - i happen to be korean american and did not say a word through the entire encounter so he probably thought i was just an asshole cyclist... which i guess i was that afternoon. |
You do know that I know this don't you? Or, were you simply making the statement for the benefit of others?
And you are an asshole cyclist |
There are so many people on this board I usually just make a point of saying it when the post needs it regardless of audience.
That said, aren't we all asshole cyclists? I mean, seriously, what kind of normal person would spend the kind of money and time cyclists do? None. Clearly we're all rich, bottom-feeding, muscle-for-brains jocks out to ruin the lives and commutes of all those car-bound cagers.
You know what I really miss? A good alley-cat. I haven't raced through crowded traffic in a really long time. |
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