Beijing traffic police have created a map of secure bicycle
parking zones to help prevent bike theft in China's capital
city.
Star Daily on Tuesday reported the police worked with
Beijing Public Transport Holdings and Beijing Subway Company to
produce the map, which indicates the locations of 305 secure
bicycle parking areas near train, bus and subway stations.
All of the parking areas on the map have been registered with
the police. All have new guard rails and 24 hour staff to guard the
bicycles. Almost half have been equipped with 24 hour closed
circuit TV surveillance systems linked to security departments.
Police are ready to respond to any alarms sounded by the
surveillance system straight away.
Up to now, five parking areas near the busy Xizhimen subway
station have been renovated and put into service.
The police hope the move will effectively reduce bicycle theft,
which frequently occurs around subway stations. They also remind
people to discourage thieves by registering new bicycles and buying
effective locks.
(CRI April 25, 2007)