BEIJING, March 10 -- Traffic authorities in Shanghai will link cycling lanes around the city this year to create a network of lanes with no obstructions, as one of several measures to improve conditions for drivers and cyclists in the city.
Other projects include rearranging vehicle lanes at intersections, and creating bus stations that won't block traffic, according to officials from the city's infrastructure association.
"Over the next few years, we will make existing roads more reasonable instead of building more roads," said Peng Rongfeng, an official with the Shanghai Engineering and Road Trade Association.
The association coordinates work between government departments and infrastructure construction firms.
He said the city government will build curved passages at intersections to facilitate vehicles making a right turn. Currently, many roads are blocked by cars waiting to make a turn, while other vehicles must wait to go straight through an intersection, which creates additional congestion on city streets.
The new curved passages will make room for vehicles turning right so they don't block others trying to drive straight through the intersection.
Making life easier for cyclists is a major part of the plan.
"We will create an unblocked network of cycling lanes in Shanghai," said an official surnamed Zhang with the Shanghai Engineering Administrative Bureau.
By the end of this year, the government plans to build roads around the Huating Hotel to connect Lingling Road and Kaixuan Road and cycling lanes along both streets.
It also has plans to widen and connect several cycling lanes along roads in Zhabei and Huangpu districts.
Shanghai is home to more than 10 million bikes and cycling is still the city's premier means of transport despite a rapid increase in ownership of private cars.
The city's road network covers 4,227 kilometers, nearly triple the length it covered in 1990.
(Source: Shanghai Daily)
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