How can bicycles better play a role in urban public transportation? How to solve the last mile in cities? What role do bicycles play in modern life? On November 13, the "Urban Public Bicycle Seminar" was held in Beijing, and public bicycles have been piloted in cities such as Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.

Government officials, experts, and entrepreneurs from pilot cities discussed three topics: the role of public bicycles in urban transportation systems, the division of responsibilities between government and enterprises in urban public bicycle systems, and how to ensure the long-term stability of public bicycle systems.

Jiang Yulin, director of the Urban Transportation Research Center of the Ministry of Transport's Scientific Research Institute, stated in his keynote speech that China is known as the kingdom of bicycles, but the share of bicycles in urban transportation has not exceeded that of some European cities. It is suggested to treat bicycles as a supplement to urban public transportation, gradually improve the planning of slow traffic in cities, and enhance bicycle planning.

As a successful pilot city for public bicycles in China, Wang Guoping, secretary of the Standing Committee of the Hangzhou Municipal People's Congress, shared with everyone the experience and achievements of Hangzhou using the model of "government-led, enterprise-invested" in public bicycles.

Lu Huapu, director of the Transportation Research Institute at Tsinghua University, stated that the characteristics of urban transportation demand are constantly evolving, currently in a rapid process of urbanization and motorization. The establishment and promotion of public bicycles should be judged based on urban travel distance indicators.

Mr. Liu Chunqi, chairman of Wuhan Public Bicycle Group, said that the three major bottlenecks currently facing public bicycles need support from government policies, breakthroughs in funding bottlenecks, and solutions to post-maintenance issues. Enterprises undertaking public services can grow stronger while fulfilling social responsibilities and contributing to society.

It is reported that the Low Carbon Era (International) Forum series of activities, hosted by Southern Media Group and organized by Southern Metropolis Daily, officially started in May this year and will last for six months. The 2011 Low Carbon Era (International) Forum and the Tribute Ceremony for Low Carbon Era Figures were held in Beijing, where Wang Guoping, secretary of the Standing Committee of the Hangzhou Municipal People's Congress, and nine others were awarded the title of 2011 Top Ten Low Carbon Figures.