On the road for the holidays, by bike
By Zhang Xuanchen |
February 10, 2010, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN limited supplies and the high price of train tickets hindered many migrant workers from returning home for the Spring Festival, 100,000 of them working at Pearl River Delta region in southern China came up with a new option - riding motorcycles to their home for the most important festival in China for home reunion.
These cyclists, most working in booming cities in Guangdong Province, are now riding home along 2,220-kilometer-long State Highway 321, which passes provinces of Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, yesterday's Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
Cyclists surnamed Zhou and Zhang, who worked at Zhongshan City in Guangdong Province, were riding home to Guangxi.
The bus fare for two stood at 600 yuan (US$88) while a motorcycle ride cost only 100 yuan in all, said Zhou.
Zhou has gone home by motor bike in the past four years. He said the 10-hour ride was not at all exhausting, and that no direct train connects their workplace and home.
He said a motorcycle ride was less tiring than standing a whole day squeezed by crowds on a packed train.
Armed with windshield helmets and rain coats, the riders are well-protected. To ensure the cyclists' safety, 200,000 police were sent to guide traffic and provide first-aid service by the local government.
At a gas station in Zhaoqing City of Guangdong Province, hundreds of riders rested as they refueled their bikes with gas. Long-distance riders can find dozens of such stops where they can have some food and drink provided by the traffic authorities.
Up to 7,000 motor bikes pass Zhaoqing City these days and the total number of bikes is expected to reach 100,000 during the two days before the Spring Festival on February 14, a local traffic police officer said.
Chinese people are expected to make 2.54 billion trips during the 40-day holiday travel rush starting early this month.
Many have to line up overnight for a train ticket home. However, the gap between the huge demand and the limited supply still leaves many unable to reach home by train.
These cyclists, most working in booming cities in Guangdong Province, are now riding home along 2,220-kilometer-long State Highway 321, which passes provinces of Guangdong, Guizhou, Sichuan and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, yesterday's Southern Metropolis Daily reported.
Cyclists surnamed Zhou and Zhang, who worked at Zhongshan City in Guangdong Province, were riding home to Guangxi.
The bus fare for two stood at 600 yuan (US$88) while a motorcycle ride cost only 100 yuan in all, said Zhou.
Zhou has gone home by motor bike in the past four years. He said the 10-hour ride was not at all exhausting, and that no direct train connects their workplace and home.
He said a motorcycle ride was less tiring than standing a whole day squeezed by crowds on a packed train.
Armed with windshield helmets and rain coats, the riders are well-protected. To ensure the cyclists' safety, 200,000 police were sent to guide traffic and provide first-aid service by the local government.
At a gas station in Zhaoqing City of Guangdong Province, hundreds of riders rested as they refueled their bikes with gas. Long-distance riders can find dozens of such stops where they can have some food and drink provided by the traffic authorities.
Up to 7,000 motor bikes pass Zhaoqing City these days and the total number of bikes is expected to reach 100,000 during the two days before the Spring Festival on February 14, a local traffic police officer said.
Chinese people are expected to make 2.54 billion trips during the 40-day holiday travel rush starting early this month.
Many have to line up overnight for a train ticket home. However, the gap between the huge demand and the limited supply still leaves many unable to reach home by train.
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