Tyler wrote a little story about air quality a while back, but there’s a new wrinkle. Now that Expo’s here, Shanghai has put real time measurements online. The site can be found here. This is important, especially for those days when just being outside makes you tear up and strips the paint off of your bicycle. Now you’ll have an idea of just how much shit is being funneled into your lungs.

Other, older measurements (for cross reference) can be found at AMFIC and the official Shanghai Air Quality site.

Oh, and so our friends in Beijing don’t get left out, there’s measurements for their air here. This is a twitter link and therefore may require some…creative internetting. It measures PM2.5 instead of PM10 and is therefore better, but it nevertheless lacks that expo sheen. For more info on what particulate actually MEANS, check out the fantastic information at AMFIC again, the always-useful wikipedia, or the less-bike-more-china-specific Cost of Pollution.

Pat yourselves on the back for not contributing to the airborne detritus, then slap yourself a little harder so you can cough up that black lung.

Ok, remember a few weeks ago I wrote about a fixed gear riders from Beijing flying to Japan to ride Osaka to Tokyo ? Yes ? No ? If you didn’t catch the original post, read it HERE.  I also linked that up to the official OT Tech Adidas website, which you can find HERE.

Anyways, after all was said and done the 4 Beijing fixed gear riders finally posted their photos, stories, and most importantly videos.  The outcome ? A complete waste of Adidas’ money as well as my time spent watching all 5 videos.  Think that sounds harsh ? Then keep reading.

I’m no expert, but typically if a company like Adidas offers to pay for your trip to ride your bike in a foreign country, then you better dam well be documenting it to the best of your ability.  That includes detailed photos of what you did every breathing minute, quality video footage of everything you did, and detailed journal entries – at bare minimum.  All of this, of course, would presumably include things like meeting up with local riders, meeting up with local shops and shop owners, riding in the most interesting / dangerous / thrilling places you can find, and it would most definitely would include some seriously sweet riding footage.  The big problem ? The videos these guys posted didn’t include ANY of that ! Ugh, I know – if Adidas had given YOU the money, you would have most definitely done something much, much, much better.

At this point you might think I’m an asshole, but I assure, I try my best to do nothing more than promote cycling and fixed gear in China . . But these videos are just too bad to pass by . .

Anyways, let’s start this off with a list of all the videos, for your viewing convenience :

Adidas OT Tech Video 1, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 2, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 3, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 4, HERE

Adidas OT Tech Video 5, HERE

Annnnnnd, critique time !

Probably one of the only things done correctly : sponsor plugs.

The first video starts off with shots of Adidas products, the 4 riders getting out of a van, and getting ready to go watch a keirin race.  I like keirin races, so points awarded to this part of the documentary.

Keirin ! Yeah !

One of the biggest problems I have with this whole ordeal is the representation and promotion of fixed gear in China.  A trip like this is obviously a great opportunity to promote the growing scene in China, and all companies associated with it.   Presumably you would think that these 4 riders would choose to ride proudly designed Chinese fixed gear bikes, but no.  Instead they are all riding European / American bikes.  I just don’t get it : you are acting as an ambassador for the Chinese fixed gear community, so ride a Chinese bike !!

No Chinese bikes for us !

Finally 3 minutes into the video there is some riding footage.  The problem is that pretty much all of it is filmed by a moving car, which doesn’t capture any of the surrounding environment ! It looks as though this could be filmed anywhere in the world.  Bummer.  It’s also generally boring to watch since all of the riding is so slow and cautious.

Sloooooooow and no scenery !

Video 2 starts off with more product plugs, and some boring footage of the riders trying to trackstand in a parking lot.  Now, I know we’re only on the second video, but the music they chose is already wearing my ears thin.  For the first video it was cool, but using it in the second video too ? (And to find out later all 5 videos?) Common – Change it up a bit !

A minute of this video was spent fooling around in Ninja costumes.  Normally, I would approve : but this was just way too boring.

The next minute of the video was spent discussing how good dinner was !

Video 3 starts off with some riding in another parking lot. Too bad, I was hoping to finally see some serious riding in the city / landscape . . But I’m still waiting !

This would entertain me if it as being done in the middle of downtown Japan traffic.

Follow me ! More boring shots ahead !

About 2 and a half minutes into the video, we are presented with what is easily the best shot from the entire video series . . Ready ?

And, BOOM ! Best shot.

Holy shit, we’re already at video 4 and there’s been a total of about 30 seconds of bike riding.  At least video 4 starts of with some cool shots from a boat !

The only problem with the scene from the boat is that it lasted about 2 minutes, and only included shots of the Adidas OT flag, as well as some slow and boring interviews from the 4 riders.  Yawn !

Mooooooore interviews !

See this mountain? They should be riding on it !

Just as you think they’re wrapping up the interviews to show more shots of riding, they hit you with this :

More dinner ! This time, with robes !

Which lasts for another painful 2 minutes . .

But finally brings us to video 5 !!! (which on first glance looks promising, since it is 8 and a half minutes long)

Nothing says expensive fixed gear riding videos like girl-fighting on a beach !

Unfortunately, video 5 also started off very poorly, with 1 minute of useless girl-slap-fighting on a beach.  From here we are flashed with more shots of the riders fixing their bikes.  Give it up for more allen key turning !

Rather than riding my bike, I’m going to continue to tune it up !

Finally they showed some riding footage, but again it was so slow and boring that it’s not even worth mentioning.

Video 5 ended off with a 5 minute interview about some Adidas products . . Totally unnecessary.  They should have filled this space with better riding footage !

Look,we’re all designers !

Anyways, it’s about time this post was wrapped up.  All in all, a very very very disappointing video from Adidas and the Beijing Fixed Gear riders.  Slow, boring, and not culturally exciting (as promised) !! Common Beijing : first you don’t participate in any other Chinese fixed gear events (Shanghai Alleycat, Guangzhou Alleycat) , then you go and produce something like this ?? You’re giving the rest of the Chinese Fixed Gear Riders a bad rep !!!  Shame on you.

Alll I can leave you with is this image, enjoy !

Keep pedaling, keep healthy and keep the shanghai sky blue; Cool qi is moving around shanghai !

Good to SH; Cool qi is rolling again on the 18th April at 2pm, with an eco creative spin on their ride.

This event links the social activities of biking with some of the most visually stimulating urban environments in china: china’s shanghai streets, and the thriving creative and cultural world of shanghai. The ride starts from the bustling activity of the EcoDesignFair and Goodtoshanghai workshops, at the new Jiashan market buildings, then takes us to the new photographic exhibition “shanghai street bikes” displayed at Anken Green. This exhibition brings together photography from some of the most passionate and creative bike enthusiasts, plus the exhibit is lucky enough to be in one of shanghai’s first design inspired eco conscious developments, sharing space with one of the first roof top garden terraces.

Come breath the air, take in a little of shanghai’s architectural pleasures, the latest in eco design and sustainability and view “shanghai street bikes” photographic exhibition.

Good to Sh hopes to encourage residents and students of Shanghai to regularly use bikes around town as a healthy, non-polluting, transport option.

This event will take place come rain or shine!

Rider Meeting points :

Entrance of Jiashan Market Lane, #259 Jianshan Lu, at 1.30pm at the EcoDesignFair & goodtoshanghai workshops

Event details :

• Begin: March 17, 2010 at 14:00
• End: March 17, 2010 at 17:00
• Add to your calendar: Download ics file
• Place: 嘉善路259号

You can register for the ride by visiting the website and signing up HERE.

Go ! Now !

The Shanghai Concert Hall appears to be one of THE spots for skateboarding and BMXing, as was evidenced by our time spent hanging around doing nothing. Though there were only 2 kids riding BMXs around, their young age belied a pretty solid and fluid talent. Turns out Shanghai does have some skills after all, and they’re clearly only going to get better. Check it out:

If the embed doesn’t work  check out the video on youku here.

That’s right : Shanghai’s got a new ‘ best bike ‘ in town thanks to the one and only Chris Trees.  If you didn’t see the post from Chinese New Year, which included photos of the original framework for the amazing tricycle, then check those out HERE.

The frame is custom designed by Chris Trees himself (an engineer from England), and was hand built here in Shanghai.  The body work was also designed by Chris, and hand crafted out of the finest bamboo China has to offer.

The tricycle features 4 disc brakes, 8 gears, and can hold 2 regular sized people – or maybe 3 smaller people.  There’s a windshield, a removable canopy, and the bike passed it’s rain test with flying colours.  Chris also plans on building a cargo version, so stay tuned for that.

Expect to see more news on this amazing tricycle soon, as Chris is slowly taking the next step to push this design into full factory production.  So if this interests you at all, contact us and we can put two and two together.  For now enjoy these photos I took while we were out test driving the trike on Saturday !

Hands up if you :

click on the flyer for full resolution

” Get a bicycle.  You will not regret it if you live. “  ~Mark Twain

People’s Bike is proud to announce the 1st Ghetto Fabulous Fixie Competition ! So here’s the deal . .

We want YOU to go build yourself a fixed gear bike, and use as little money as possible ! Really, the rules are that simple :

1. Build a fixed gear bike in China

2. Spend as little money as possible

3. Post your photos and documentation online ! (HERE)

Could it get any easier ? Probably not. You must post all your documentation and photos online by March 31st, and then we will judge your stories and finished products to determine a winner ! Here’s what we’ll be looking for, and how we will judge the submissions :

1. The complete price breakdown of the bike you built – keep it as cheap as you can !

2. Full documentation of where you bought all your parts, and how you put it together

3. The final quality of your fixed gear bike

4. The final appearance of your fixed gear bike

5. The stories and ideas behind your finished product

6. How ghetto fabulous is your new bike ??

See? Super simple ! The only minor details are that you must build this bike within China, and you must submit your creations by March 31st, 2010.  All submissions must be posted in our forum, HERE.  That means you’ve got to be a member on the forum to register !

Not sure where to start looking for parts ? Try checking out our Guides Section for a list of localized bike shops. This would also be a good place to start looking : Bicycle Graveyard

And finally, did we mention that there’s a sweet prize up for grabs ?? Yep, a limited edition ONEWAY Shanghai Alleycat Messenger Bag !! Check out these photos :

You’ve really got nothing to lose, so get out there and start building yourself a ghetto fabulous bike !! We look forward to seeing all of your submissions, and of course, if you have any questions just post them here on in the forum !!

This post was written by enovate, and orignally posted HERE

(photo credit, tokyocraiger)

Shanghai has long been a city where civil initiatives are often filled with bicycle focused suggestions and solutions. In the year 2010, it’s difficult to see any bicycle friendly implementations in a city littered with construction signs and clogged roads, mired in an unprecedented Expo frenzy.

There is hope however, and it comes from one of Shanghai’s oldest bicycle brands: Shanghai Forever Bicycle Company.

In the year 2008, as the patches of industrial buildings and residential houses along the Huangpu River had yet to be removed to make room for Haibao and his crew of merry workers, Forever set in motion its grand plan to integrate a comprehensive bike rental system along Shanghai’s streets. Mirroring successful bike rental platforms in Paris and Hangzhou, Forever took a small step into this foray with the introduction of a solitary rental system in Pudong’s Zhangjiang High Technology Park. Located directly next to the subway station, this bike rental system is meant to appeal to workers seeking transportation between the Subway and their final destination. Often the highest necessity for those lacking proper transportation, this last stage, referred to by city traffic planners and Xu Xuefeng, a Shanghai People’s Congress delegate, as “the very last three kilometers [between homes, schools, or communities to traffic hubs]“, is the most critical spot to place bike rental systems as this offers the most convenient and largest opportunity for adoption by potential rental bike users.

Following a recent string of bike related government initiatives, including a free bike trials in Shanghai’s Minhang district, and a focus to add more bike lanes in these “last three kilometers”, Forever’s bike rental system represents an ambitious plan to show off a modern Chinese biking society during the May 2010 Shanghai Expo. Currently in one of China’s most central districts, Xuhui, there are nine such rental bike ‘hot-spots”. A representative from Forever indicates that in Xuhui alone, there will be 40 or more of these bike rental “hot-spots” by the time the Shanghai Expo begins. However, by 2012, Forever hopes to have more than 3500 bike rental “hot-spots” spread across Shanghai’s vast city landscape at a cost of over 400 million yuan.

Forever’s commitment in this endeavor is not only for increased brand exposure and the promotion of bike culture in Shanghai; Forever also hopes to reduce motor vehicle emissions as well as provide the “healthiest capillary vessel” in Shanghai’s ever growing Public Transportation system. It also may be one of Shanghai’s most technologically advanced. Access to the bike rental service can be arranged by purchasing a RFID “bike credit card” for 200RMB that gives each user 100 “rider credits”. As riders return their bikes within certain pre-determined time frames, points are either deducted or added based on these times. The service is accessible for both locals and non-China natives; a government issued ID card, or passport is required to purchase the “bike credit card”. This attaches direct accountability for the bike and will hopefully deter thefts.

We’ve recently spoken with many local bike shops, riders, and city planning experts regarding bike rental systems and the consensus indicates that for Shanghai to successfully implement a system like this, it must keep in mind two things: accurately distanced rental stations based on usability and proximity to buses and subways, as well as proper government funding and attention. Essentially this cannot be a half-assed effort or it’s adoption rate will be low and over 400million RMB is simply thrown away.

The adoption rate among youth Bike riders is also a question of debate. 22 year old enoVate team member, Jermaine Chen, appreciates the program and it’s opportunities for environmental benefits as well as solving many people’s “last three kilometer” problems. Recent enoVate bike research also indicates that Shanghai youth are not vehemently opposed to renting a bike, instead praising the possibility to “bring friends together for a fun and enjoyable bike ride”.

More information about the bike system and bike news in Shanghai can be found on Forever’s official info website, China RMB.

This post was written by Randy van den Dungen Bille, and the original version can be found HERE

The Shanghai Forever Co., Ltd was founded in 1940, and has established a world wide reputation for producing the Forever brand traditional bicycle. It is a State-run company, and has made significant contributions to Shanghai’s rolling populace of over 10 million bikes.

Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (捷安特) is a big name in the word of cycling. It bills itself as the world’s largest bicycle manufacturer. Giant has manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, Netherlands and mainland China.

As the Chinese fall in love with cars, and westerners fall out of love with them – China is once again a winner. According to the Earth Policy Institute (a Washington-based environmental think tank) of the 130 million bikes manufactured worldwide last year, China made 90 million, and exported two-thirds of them. About nine out of ten bikes bought by Americans are made in China…

On top of that: around 120 million electronic bicycles are driving around in China. Ten years ago, there were only 50 000. The Chinese e-cycling industry was established under Mao in China in the 1960s. The early bicycles were not a success due to bad batteries. At the beginnings of a free market economy, many businesses emerged around e-cycling when public concern about the pollution of mopeds and scooters began to increase. In Chinese cities the e-bikes are considered a good alternative to the polluting motor scooters. But the environmentally-friendly bicycles have a big drawback: they are too quick, and they are too quiet. You hardly hear them arrive, leading to many unsafe situations in  traffic, according to the Wall Street Journal. The increase of e-bikes also effected the number of victims of these ’silent killers’. In 2007, 2.469 People died due to a collision with an electric bicycle, about 3% of the total number of deaths. A blogger on the Beijing News Web site complained: “these e-bike riders have no sense of awareness or respect for the law.” Comments as such led to concern with the authorities. In Beijing and Fuzhou, the e-bike was forbidden in 2002. Yet in 2006, in Beijing this ban was lifted again. Now the industry itself is suggesting measures to bring a safer means of transport.

bike-sharing system
In 2008, Shanghai began testing a bike-sharing system. The programme was launched to coincide with World Car Free Day and is part of the city’s preparations to host the 2010 World Expo, whose theme is ‘Better City, Better Life’. If successful, the programme will be expanded to 800 stands outside metro station exits, and on 2,700 other sites in business and residential areas by 2012. To use the system, riders must pay a 200 yuan (29 dollars) deposit and are charged one to three yuan an hour on a progressive system designed to encourage short rents and quick turnover. The first half hour is free. The bicycles are being supplied by the Shanghai Forever Bicycle Company, one of Shanghai’s oldest bicycle brands. Shanghai-made Forever, Phoenix and Flying Pigeon brand bicycles used to dominate the city’s roads, but as China has become more affluent, cars have taken over. The city recently banned bicycles from travelling on select major roads to prevent them from slowing down motorists. However, the potential for bike-sharing in China is huge. According to People’s Daily Online, China “had more than 660 cities by the end of 2002 of which 10 had populations of more than 4 million each in the urban area; 23, between 2 and 4 million; 138, between 1 and 2 million; 279, between 500,000 and 1 million; 171, between 200,000 and 500,000; and 39, less than 200,000.” Cities with all these sizes, as well as those smaller than 200,000 residents, are capable of supporting bike-sharing. So with 660 cities plus likely a few more since 2002, governments have a clean slate to implement programs in a country that is known for once having one of, if not THE world’s greatest cycle culture.

The problems we are facing nowadays are enormous and there are no simple solutions. Yet one of the questions which Earth’s climate may very well depend on is: can China bring back it’s former glory as being a leader in bicycle use?

Ai Weiwei (艾未未) is a Chinese conceptual artist, dubbed an ‘agent provocateur of contemporary Chinese art’. Born in 1957, he was raised in a labour camp in China’s remote northwestern region of Xinjiang, his family having been exiled there from Beijing after his father was denounced ‘an enemy of the state’. Ai’s father was a poet, and he himself clearly follows in the footsteps of the tormented artist, sculpting with wires as opposed to words. ‘Forever’ Bicycles, 2003 is formed from 42 conjoined Chinese bicycles. But these are no ordinary Chinese bicycles. These bicycles are meant to stay. They are ‘Forever bicycles’…

Fixie Friday is a weekly People’s Bike column posted at the end of every week.  Fixie Friday serves as a recap for all of the best fixed gear news from around the world.  Photos, videos, interviews, events : find it all in one big post !

View last weeks post HERE

NEWSforFEB 6 – 12, 2010

The Taiwan Fixed Gear girls are at it again, taking new photos and continuing to ride through the city and document it all.  Here are a few of our favorite shots that we found online :

Chud City has released a new cycling sweater, and it looks great !! Even for a first edition of the model it looks very promising. Check out all the details HERE.

There is an unspoken marriage that exists between tattoos and cycling culture . . We’re working on a piece that will be published next week that tries to explain it all, but for now check out these awesome drawings done by artist Matt Taylor.  You can view his site HERE.

Paper Labels is a new collaboration company that is trying to push new ideas of cycling and messenger design.  They’ve released shots of their first bag, which looks great !! Check it out below :

The much anticipated Kilroy frame from Gorilla has finally hit Asia : in Taiwan to be exact.  There were 25 limited edition models sent out worldwide, and the lucky guys down in Taiwan managed to get their hands on a few.  They look beautiful, just check out the pictures below !

Add it to the list : another company has released pedal straps . . Yep, Burro Bags has jumped on the bandwagon and made a version of their own.  Chances that soon one day everyone will be using straps instead of toe clips ??

14 Bike Co recently launched their clothing brand 4TN Clothing : very casual, retains the functionality of sportswear, but the texture and shape have been produced to last. More details can be found HERE.

Transient has released a new messenger bag as well, and it’s huge !! This photo says it all, but have a look on their flickr account for yourself HERE.

Pretty sure that everyone’s familiar with Reload Bags . . Well, they’ve got some sample shots up of their much anticipated chain cover. Check out their site HERE if you have never heard of them before – great stuff !

Gran Royale has released a new version of their well respected drop bar.  This time it has a built in stem : supposedly for aesthetic AND functional purposes.  Looks great ! (How long until they are copied here in China?)

Four fixed gear riders from Beijing have been sponsored by Adidas to go cycle from Osaka to Tokyo next month. Jealous? I know we are . . They’ll be dressed in the new Adidas OT Tech series, and the entire trip should last about 7 days : averaging about 6 hours of riding a day.  The total trip will be about 500 KM – which doesn’t seem like a lot in retrospect to the trip we at  People’s Bike have been planning to ride – Shanghai to Hong Kong, early March 2010.  Watch out for it !

The main idea behind the Beijing riders going to Japan is to try and explore their culture through the lenses of a Chinese citizen, while obviously promoting Adidas.  You can check out the link HERE.

As if the fixed gear scene hadn’t been penetrated by the fashion industry enough already, Uniqlo has jumped on board and is starting to promote their ‘ Fixed Gear Girls’.  Don’t believe us ? Check out these photos :

Finally, some more straps.  These ones actually look very promising.  You can view all the details on the Resistant site HERE.