President says bicycle only solution for energy-dependent Korea

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, April 20 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak vowed to continue his drive
for green growth Monday, saying increased use of bicycles for transportation is
the only option for the country.

"Green way of life is the call of our times. Bringing back pollution-free
bicycles as a key means of transportation is a path we must take," the president
said in his bi-weekly national address broadcast via radio.
The remarks come amid the government's nationwide drive to promote green growth
under the so-called "Green New Deal" that requires all state and public offices
to significantly increase their use of renewal energy and replace all their light
bulbs with energy-efficient LED light bulbs by 2012.
The 50-trillion-won (US$37.5 billion) program also includes a 1.2 trillion won
project to build a nationwide network of bicycle paths and to annually hold an
international bicycle race, 'Tour de Korea,' from 2012.
This, the president said, will also offer new business opportunities for less
developed areas.
"For those areas that are less industrialized, this will help revive their street
markets if they develop their attractions to lure travelers on bicycles," he
said.
The ongoing project seeks to lay down some 3,100 kilometers of bike paths
throughout the country, but Lee noted that alone will not be enough to prompt
more people to start riding bicycles to work.
"For people to safely ride bicycles even on the busy streets of cities, we will
have to have separate bike paths from sidewalks. We will also have to have
insurance for bike accidents and thefts," he said.
Lee said it will take some time before the country can put all the necessary
conditions in place to build what he called a bicycle heaven.
"But reducing the use of vehicles and increasing the use of bicycles is a
worldwide trend and I believe it is a path we must take," he said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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