Wuhan gov't employees encouraged to use bicycles

The city of Wuhan, in central China, is encouraging its employees to snub official cars in favor of bicycles. It launched a bike rental service in 2010 designed for government employess, offering them a green alternative for short distance travel. So how have city workers responded to this apparent downgrade from four wheels to two?

30-year-old civil servant Yang Jun has developed a new habit. A quick scribble in a notebook in exchange for a key, and he's pedaling away.

Now, whenever work in Wuhan requires him to travel short distances, Yang's go-to method of transportation is the bicycle.

In 2010 the government of Wuhan, the provincial capital of central Hubei, initiated a bike rental service for its civil servants.

"As over 100 provincial departments are nearby, most of them less than three kilometers away, it's convenient to ride bicycles. We're never worried about being caught in a traffic jam. And we no longer have to feel guilty of using official vehicles for 3-minute drives." Wuhan gov't employee Yang Jun said.

So far, only 10 bicycles have been allocated to Yang's bureau. Each one is used on average by four government workers during each working day.

Plans are in the works now to buy more bicycles.

"We civil servants have the responsibility to set a good example for people, and to help promote more environmental-friendly commuting. In the future, more departments will be offered the public bikes rental service." Wuhan gov't employee Yao Yiquan said.

But not all government officials have embraced two-wheel transportation. In the courtyard of the Wuhan municipal government building, all 20 bikes stand quietly, covered with dust. The department in charge of the rental service refused to comment on its unpopularity.