Have you ever gotten stuck in a traffic jam? How about one that lasted nine days?

In August of 2010, traffic leading to Beijing got backed up for more than 62 miles. During the nine-day jam, lines of cars stretched as far as drivers could see. That’s a big change for a country once called “The Kingdom of Bicycles”!

People living in China once valued bicycles highly. Traditionally, when a man got married, he would make sure he could give his wife “three rounds and a sound.” The “sound” was a radio. The three “rounds” were a watch (for its round face), a sewing machine (for its round spindle), and a bicycle (for its round wheels).

When communist leaders first ruled China, they controlled where people worked, went to school, and lived. They also decided what products factories and farms would produce. Government officials said, “At least 25 million bikes must be made here every year.” Each bicycle was meant to last its user a lifetime. Many of these bikes were called “flying pigeons.” You might find them boring compared to bikes we ride today. They had one speed. They came only in black. In communist China, a person could be on the waiting list for a flying pigeon for years.

But bicycles became less and less popular in China in the 1990s. People bought cars instead. They bought them even though it meant increasing traffic jams and dirty air.

Since then, the Chinese government has changed its attitude about bicycles. Officials have noticed the trouble caused by too many cars. So they encourage citizens to ride bikes again. But government influence doesn’t always work well at changing people’s minds. Will the bike sharing movement work in China? We will see as people in China decide where to spend their money.