Cracking Down on Smog and Crowding

There are 16 million people and 3 million cars fighting their way around the city limits of Beijing. That doesn’t even include the millions of bicycles that cram in the creases of busy intersections making progress impossible. According to our guide Henry, Beijing’s nickname is the “Kingdom of Bicycles.”

Starting this week, the hardcore smog/congestion-fighting policies go into effect in hopes of clearing up the air and roads for the Games. To limit the number of cars out at one time, local vehicles are being limited to the “every-other day” schedule. Cars with license plates ending in an even number will be allowed to drive on the even numbered days, while odd numbered plates can drive on odd numbered days. In theory, the set-up seems logical and I was impressed by the forward thought. In practice, however, I’m not sure it will work. Besides the fact that July has 31 days (advantage odd numbers), we’ve been informed that many people are renting cars with opposite plates in order to maintain their usual activity. It will be interesting to see how things pan out. Meanwhile, traffic is outrageous!