Shanghai back-pedals on bike ban

Official measures have been seen as "anti-bicycle"

Shanghai officials appear to be back-pedalling on what was being viewed as an "anti-bicycle" campaign in the city.

Officials announced at the weekend plans to build a network of cycle paths in the centre of the city, according to the Shanghai Daily newspaper.

The plan was in marked contrast to a series of recent measures which appeared to penalise cyclists.

For example, a tenfold increase in traffic fines for cyclists is due to take effect in May, and last month, a ban on using bicycles on roads in the city centre was implemented.

The ban was introduced as an anti-congestion measure, but many residents see the rapidly growing number of private cars as the real reason for crowded roads.

The new plans do not mean an end to the ban and few details of the cycle path network were given.

But an official told the Shanghai Daily that the cycle paths would be integrated into urban renewal projects in the run-up to the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.

The city has a population of around 20m and there are an estimated 9m bicycles - many people still view them as essential for getting around.

"Instead of banning bicycles, the government should consider banning private cars in certain areas," city employee and critic of the bicycle ban, Yu Pengfei, was quoted as saying.