3,000-km Bike-Only Lane Due by 2020
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak said Sunday that the government will complete a 3,000-kilometer-long bike-only pathway by 2020 linking major cities nationwide, Sunday.
In a speech to mark the closing ceremony of the ``Tour de Korea 2009'' held in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, Lee also said an eco-friendly lane will be constructed following the country's four major rivers.
The Han, Nakdong, Keum and Youngsan rivers are undergoing massive state-led refurbishment aimed at transforming neighboring areas into green spaces with scenic views.
``There are several tasks that we need to complete to make this happen. First and foremost, we need to build a separate lane available only for cyclists in large cities, and we also have to work on infrastructure by introducing insurance plans for them,'' he stressed.
``We are a net bicycle importer now, but I think we can become the third-largest bicycle producing country in five years when and if many people participate in the campaign,'' said Lee.
The nine-day Tour de Korea 2009 event, hosted by the Ministry of Public Administration and Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, kicked off on April 25 in Seoul and wrapped up Sunday in Changwon.
The southern city government has pioneered in introducing a set of bike-friendly measures including a public bicycle-rental program.
The campaign is aimed at raising public awareness of Lee's low-carbon, green growth policy agenda.