中国城市兴起骑行热
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
Bicycles have long been used for transportation in China. But recently, cycling - the activity or sport of riding a bicycle for exercise - has become popular among the country’s urban middle class. The popularity is, in part, a result of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chinese Cycling Association says at least 20 million people in the country participate in cycling. Qiyi, a Beijing cycling club, organized biking events that had about 10,000 participants over the past year.
The pandemic has played a part in cycling’s growing popularity as officials moved quickly to close some businesses, including gymnasiums - or places for exercise.
Cycling, which can be done individually as well as in groups, has largely been free from restrictions.
Lindsay Mo could not exercise indoors after Beijing officials closed gymnasiums in May because of a coronavirus outbreak. So she started cycling - and soon fell in love with the sport.
“I realized a racing bicycle was quite different than a regular bike,” she said, adding, “It’s very fast and exciting.”
For cyclist Yang Lan, the sport also provides an escape from the daily difficulties of life. “With the pandemic it seems to be the only way for us to run away from the terrible city life.” she said.
Cycling’s growth in China is a result of the growing popularity of outdoor activities in general, said Feng Baozhong, vice-president of the Chinese Cycling Association. “Especially after the pandemic, people have a desire to walk out of rooms and buildings to do sports outdoors,” Feng added.
Naturally, the growth in cycling has increased the demand for bicycles. American bicycle brand Specialized says its Beijing stores’ sales rose 20 to 30 percent from March to June, compared to the same period a year earlier.
The increase would have been twice as large if not for a shortage of bike products, said He Dong, who is in charge of the Beijing dealer of Specialized.
Zhou Fuyuan is the founder of Magic Cycling, an online bicycle information provider in China. Zhou said China’s bicycle market was a $12 to $15 billion industry in 2021.
Research and Markets, a research group, estimates sales could reach $16.5 billion by 2026.
Increasing demand and worldwide supply chain problems mean that people wanting to buy bicycles must wait weeks or months to get one.
For every Specialized bicycle sold in Beijing at least 10 customers are waiting for their bicycles to arrive, He said.
Some people choose to pay more for whatever bicycle is available.
Joanna Lei spent $8,900 on her first racing bicycle.
She said the money was better spent than on a luxury bag. “What you are investing in is your own body and a very good workout habit,” she said. Lei added, “I think it’s more valuable than clothes that you wear or handbags that you use.”
People will have more choices for sports and entertainment when the pandemic is over. But Feng says he expects cycling to remain popular because it is driven by China’s growing wealth and people’s increased health concerns.
The sport’s popularity is also a sign of the public’s growing awareness of environmental protection. “Such a lifestyle is probably healthier and is more beneficial to society,” Yang said. She added, “I think people now have a good sense of environmental protection and hope to do good for society.”
I’m Ashley Thompson.
VOCABULARY
1. restriction n. a rule or law that limits what you can do or what can happen 限制规定；限制法规
QUESTIONS
Read the statements. Then listen to the news and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F). Then correct the false statements.
1. Recently, cycling has become popular among China’s rural middle class.
2. At least 20 million people in China participate in cycling.
3. The pandemic has played a part in cycling’s growing popularity in China.
4. Cycling’s growth in China is a result of the growing popularity of outdoor activities in general.
5. Increasing demand and worldwide supply chain problems mean that people wanting to buy bicycles must wait years or months to get one.
6. For every Specialized bicycle sold in Beijing at least 20 customers are waiting for their bicycles to arrive.
7. Joanna Lei pointed out that the money was better spent on a bicycle than on a luxury dog.
8. People will have less choices for sports and entertainment when the pandemic is over.
9. The sport’s popularity is also a sign of the public’s growing awareness of environmental protection.
KEY
Read the statements. Then listen to the news and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F). Then correct the false statements.
(F) 1. Recently, cycling has become popular among China’s rural middle class. （正确表达）Recently, cycling has become popular among China’s urban middle class.
(T) 2. At least 20 million people in China participate in cycling.
(T) 3. The pandemic has played a part in cycling’s growing popularity in China.
(T) 4. Cycling’s growth in China is a result of the growing popularity of outdoor activities in general.
(F) 5. Increasing demand and worldwide supply chain problems mean that people wanting to buy bicycles must wait years or months to get one.（正确表达）Increasing demand and worldwide supply chain problems mean that people wanting to buy bicycles must wait weeks or months to get one.
(F) 6. For every Specialized bicycle sold in Beijing at least 20 customers are waiting for their bicycles to arrive.（正确表达）For every Specialized bicycle sold in Beijing at least 10 customers are waiting for their bicycles to arrive.
(F) 7. Joanna Lei pointed out that the money was better spent on a bicycle than on a luxury dog. （正确表达）Joanna Lei pointed out that the money was better spent on a bicycle than on a luxury bag.
(F) 8. People will have less choices for sports and entertainment when the pandemic is over.（正确表达）People will have more choices for sports and entertainment when the pandemic is over.
(T) 9. The sport’s popularity is also a sign of the public’s growing awareness of environmental protection.
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