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Hot Issue:Low Carbon Journey on a Bike

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IntroductionTo deal with the global energy crisis, many countries have started formulating an energy reduction policy to promote sustainable development and low carbon living. In recent years, cycling has become one of the most common and popular ways to reduce carbon footprints. The member states of the European Union have been most effective in promoting the use of bicycles among their citizens. People riding bikes can be seen almost everywhere in the cities. The success of the member states is due to their recognition that the general use of bicycles for transport can help improve people’s quality of life.

Some people think that cycling is not easy to be widely promoted and accepted in Hong Kong due to our many constraints. Land shortage is considered the major obstacle. As such, it is not infrequent to witness scenes of vehicles and pedestrians competing for the use of roads. In addition, Hong Kong is in lack of well-constructed cycling tracks and networks which can be found in Japan and Taiwan for facilitating the use of bicycles by their citizens.

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1. How could the promotion of cycling as a means of transport help encourage people to adopt a sustainable living style?

Questions for Enquiry

2. From the perspective of improving people’s quality of life, can the advantages of using cycling as a transport mode outweigh the disadvantages of giving up other convenient transportation modes?

3. Apart from using bicycles, are there any other lifestyles which should be promoted to reduce the carbon emission from people’s transportation?

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Background Information

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The Guardian. (8 June 2010). What’s the carbon footprint of cycling a mile. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/jun/08/carbon-footprint-cycling

The New York Times. (7 May 2014). The Greening of Business Travel Gains Momentum. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/08/business/the-greening-of-business-travel-gains-momentum.html?hpw&rref=business&_r=0

News Straits Times. (5 May 2014). Fun way to a greener. Retrieved from http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/fun-way-to-a-greener-1.587388?cache=03%2F7.196129%2F7.291149%2F7.320411%2F7.320411 ＞More information

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Background Information

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Mother Nature Network. (1 May 2014). The push to create new bike commuters, one bike lane at a time. Retrieved from http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/stories/the-push-to-create-new-bike-commuters-one-bike-lane-at-a-time

Love Carbon Economy. (August 2009). Low carbon cycle scheme launched in London. Retrieved from http://www.lowcarboneconomy.com/profile/the_low_carbon_economy_ltd/_low_carbon_blog/low_carbon_cycle_scheme_launched_in_london/6875

Department for Transport , the UK Government. (July 2009). Low Carbon Transport. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/228897/7682.pdf

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Background Information China Daily. (27 November 2013). Making low-carbon lifestyles livable.

Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion/2013-11/27/content_17136185.htm

Resilience. (1 May 2006). Riding a bicycle can save the world. Retrieved from http://www.resilience.org/stories/2006-05-01/riding-bicycle-can-save-world

ECF. (23 January 2014). ECF Roundup: The EU’s new Urban Mobility Package. Retrieved from http://www.ecf.com/news/ecf-roundup-the-new-eu-urban-mobility-package/

West Kowloon Cultural District. (2014). Sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.westkowloon.hk/en/the-district/sustainability

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Background Information European Commission. (2014). Clean Transport, Urban Transport: Cycling.

Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/transport/themes/urban/urban_mobility/urban_mobility_actions/cycling_en.htm

Yale University, Environment 360. (14 July 2011). On Biking, Why Cant’the U.S. Learn Lessons from Europe? Retrieved from http://e360.yale.edu/feature/on_biking_why_cant_the_us_learn_lessons_from_europe/2425/

Yale University, Environment 360. (22 April 2013). Will Electric Bicycles Get Americans to Start Pedaling? Retrieved from http://e360.yale.edu/feature/will_electric_bicycles_get_americans_to_start_pedaling/2642/

Japan for Sustainability (JFS). (22 April 2011). BEE Japan – Cycling Tour to Protect Earth. Retrieved from http://www.japanfs.org/en/news/archives/news_id030833.html

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Background Information BID. (8 July 2013). Urban Transport and Cycling: Lessons for LAC from

Europe and the US. Retrieved from http://blogs.iadb.org/ciudadessostenibles/2013/07/08/urban-transport-and-cycling-lessons-for-lac-from-europe-and-the-us/

The Guardian. (29 January 2014). Cycles of Change: Three Bike-friendly European Cities with Lessons for the UK. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2014/jan/29/cycling-rates-european-cities-lessons-for-uk

The Athlantic Cities. (15 April 2014). Will London Finally Get Serious About Air Pollution? Retrieved from http://www.theatlanticcities.com/technology/2014/04/will-london-finally-get-serious-about-air-pollution/8882/

The Star Online. (19 April, 2014). Cycling in Japan: Touring the city of Tokyo while surviving on budget meals. Retrieved from http://www.thestar.com.my/Travel/Asia/2014/04/19/Cycling-in-Japan/

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1. How could the promotion of cycling as a means of transport help encourage people to adopt a sustainable living style?

Business Green. (22 April 2014). Department for Transport awards £2m to new wave of sustainable transport schemes. Retrieved from http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2340683/department-for-transport-awards-gbp2m-to-new-wave-of-sustainable-transport-schemes

European Union Academic Programme Hong Kong. (2014). Urban Cycling in Europe. Retrieved from http://europe.hkbu.edu.hk/euap/young_europe/module6/Urban%20Cycling_Learning%20Materials_English.pdf

United Nations. (26 September 2013). Sustainable Transport. Retrieved from http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/index.php?menu=1569

Mother Earth News. (28 April 2014). Nation Gears Up for third Annual Bike to School Day. Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/bike-to-school-day-zwfz1404zwea.aspx#axzz31U0j8b00

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1. How could the promotion of cycling as a means of transport help encourage people to adopt a sustainable living style?

The Earth times. (20 April 2011). Sustainable Transport. Retrieved from http://www.earthtimes.org/encyclopaedia/environmental-issues/sustainable-transport/

Greenbiz. (26 December 2013). 10 Trends that drove sustainable transport in 2013. Retrieved from http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/12/26/10-trends-drove-sustainable-transport-2013

Energy live news. (9 May 2014). EU provides €420m for “green” transport in Poland. Retrieved from http://www.energylivenews.com/2014/05/09/eu-provides-e420m-for-green-transport-in-poland/

European Commission. (7 May 2014). The EU and Japan Acting together for Global Peace and Prosperity. Retrieved from http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-151_en.htm

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South China Morning Post. (12 June 2013). Hong Kong takes welcome step to a sustainable future. Retrieved from http://www.scmp.com/property/hong-kong-china/article/1258578/hong-kong-takes-welcome-step-sustainable-future

Business Insider. (29 April 2013). The 20 Most Bike-Friendly Cities in the World. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/the-worlds-20-most-bike-friendly-cities-2013-4?op=1

Presto. (December 2011). Promoting Cycling for Everyone as a Daily Transport Mode. Retrieved from http://www.rupprecht-consult.eu/uploads/tx_rupprecht/Presto_lessonslearntbrochure_EN_web.pdf

JFS (Japan for Sustainability). (8 October 2009). Japan’s Environment Ministry Selects Five Areas for 2009 Low Carbon City Project. Retrieved from http://www.japanfs.org/en/news/archives/news_id029402.html

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1. How could the promotion of cycling as a means of transport help encourage people to adopt a sustainable living style?

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2. From the perspective of improving people’s quality of life, can the advantages of using cycling as a transport mode outweigh the disadvantages of giving up other convenient transportation modes?

Fleetowner. (2013). Paying more for “green” transport? Retrieved from http://fleetowner.com/blog/paying-more-green-transport

Green Left Weekly. (12 April 2014). Commuters want public transport, not motorways. Retrieved from https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/56252

Transport and Housing Bureau. (2 November 2013). Hong Kong Moving Ahead: A transport strategy for the future. Retrieved from http://www.thb.gov.hk/eng/psp/publications/transport/publications/hk_move_ahead_txt.htm

Inhabitat. (25 September, 2013). South Korea’s Suwon City Goes Car-Free For the EcoMobility World Festival. Retrieved from http://inhabitat.com/south-koreas-suwon-city-goes-car-free-for-the-ecomobility-world-festival/

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The Standard. (30 August 2012). Cycling makes tracks with Legco runners. Retrieved from http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?art_id=125964&con_type=1

HKSAR Press Release. (21 November 2012). “Bicycle friendly”policy. Retrieved from http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201211/21/P201211210301.htm

Business Green. (22 April 2014). Department for Transport awards £2m to new wave of sustainable transport schemes. Retrieved from http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2340683/department-for-transport-awards-gbp2m-to-new-wave-of-sustainable-transport-schemes

Ministry of the Environment, Japan. (July 2013). Japan’s support to realize “Leapfrog” Low Carbon Development in Asian Cities. Retrieved from http://osaka-hcm-lcc.net/support/event130712_env.pdf

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2. From the perspective of improving people’s quality of life, can the advantages of using cycling as a transport mode outweigh the disadvantages of giving up other convenient transportation modes?

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The Sun Daily. (11 May 2014). Chipping in for a greener city day. Retrieved from http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1042494

Eco-Business. (24 April 2014). Which transport is the fairest of them all? Retrieved from http://www.eco-business.com/opinion/which-transport-fairest-them-all/

Harrow Times. (29 April 2014). Harrow Cyclists ride together as part of London campaign. Retrieved from http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/11179184.Cyclists_ride_together_as_part_of_London_campaign/

Taiwanease. (2012). Taiwan’s Cycling Culture. Retrieved from https://taiwanease.com/article/31/Taiwans_Cycling_Culture

Biketaiwan. (2013). Taiwan’s Bike Friendly Cities. Retrieved from http://www.biketaiwan.com/resource/article/2/28/article-03.pdf

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Clean Air Network. (23 December 2010). Legco: Environmental Affairs Panel meeting on Pilot Green Transport Fund. Retrieved from http://www.hongkongcan.org/eng/2010/12/legco-environmental-affairs-panel-meeting-on-pilot-green-transport-fund/

South China Morning Post. (21 December 2010). Legislators want greens on body to vet transport trials. Retrieved from http://www.hongkongcan.org/eng/2010/12/legislators-want-greens-on-body-to-vet-transport-trials/

Environment Bureau, Transport & Housing Bureau, Food & Health Bureau, Development Bureau. (March 2013). A Clean Air Plan. Retrieved from http://www.enb.gov.hk/en/files/New_Air_Plan_en.pdf

3. Apart from using bicycles, are there any other lifestyles which should be promoted to reduce the carbon emission from people’s transportation?

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South China Morning Post. (10 September 2013). KMB’s electric bus service gets up and humming. Retrieved from http://www.hongkongcan.org/eng/2013/09/kmbs-electric-bus-service-gets-up-and-humming/

China Daily. (5 November 2013). Hong Kong should drive towards a sustainable tomorrow. Retrieved from http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2013-11/05/content_17080709.htm

Clean Air Hong Kong. (26 February 2010). The Govt’s new environmental initiatives: yet more cases of form over substance. Retrieved from http://www.hongkongcan.org/eng/2010/02/the-govts-new-environmental-initiatives-yet-more-cases-of-form-over-substance/

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3. Apart from using bicycles, are there any other lifestyles which should be promoted to reduce the carbon emission from people’s transportation?

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Mother Earth News. (21 April 2014). Electric School Buses Help Reduce Fossil Fuel Emissions. Retrieved from http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-transportation/electric-school-bus-zb0z1404zwea.aspx#axzz31U0j8b00

Fleetowner. (8 May 2014). Paying more for “green” transport. Retrieved from http://fleetowner.com/blog/paying-more-green-transport

Energy live news. (19 July 2010). London buses scoop green transport award. Retrieved from http://www.energylivenews.com/2010/07/19/london-buses-scoop-green-transport-award/ Question for

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3. Apart from using bicycles, are there any other lifestyles which should be promoted to reduce the carbon emission from people’s transportation?