Residents of Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, are getting off of their motorcycles and back onto their bikes.

They are returning to pedal power because the city plans to phase out its 320,000 motorcycles by the end of 2006. The motorcycles are seen as the cause of pollution and frequent traffic jams.

Motorbikes have been banned in the non-rush hour period starting from May 1 in some of the city's major roads and downtown areas.

The ban is expected to extend to every corner of the city by 2007, according to the municipal government.

Instead of turning to automobiles, still regarded as a luxury by the low-income residents who make up the majority of the city's population, many use bicycles as their vehicle of choice.

Chen Guohua, assistant manager of a local advertising company, began going to work by bike a month ago. He stopped using his motorbike last month after the city's decision to phase them out. "Now I am becoming used to go to work by bike," said Chen.

Bikes were both manufactured and used extensively in Guangzhou until the mid-1980s, but as people became increasingly prosperous they turned to motorbikes.

Now, the motorbike ban has led to a big increase in bicycle sales in the city.

"A bicycle costs much less than a car, and it is a very convenient way to commute," said Xiao Chen, a former motorcyclist.

Li Xianhan, sales manager of Guangzhou's Dibik Bicycle Company, said sales have risen steadily during the past few months. "In March, about 700 or 800 bikes were sold, but more than 1,000 were sold in April," said Li. "We expect sales to increase steadily following the ban of motorcycles in the city."

Five Rams Bicycle Company sales manager Qin Mingsheng said the company's sales agents now pay for their products before selling them, instead of after. They can afford to do this because of the rapid rise in overall sales.
 
However, many people -- mostly students and laborers -- buy their bicycles in the second-hand market. Second-hand bikes, which are often stolen from their original owners and sold on the black market, cost no more than 100 yuan (US$12), much less expensive than new ones.

Citizens are warned not to buy such bikes, to help curb thefts.

(China Daily August 2, 2004)