Chinanews, Beijing, April 23 - Beijing is known as "the paradise of bicycles" for there are more than 2.4 million bicycles travelling on its roads and streets everyday (the total number of bicycles in the city being 10 million), but rampaging bicycle thefts here make the "paradise" not as good as it sounds. Most Beijingers have the experience of losing one or more bicycles, particularly students and ordinary workers, to whom their bicycles are the most important means of transportation.

 

Local police have started investigation on bicycle black markets, particularly the disposal points of stolen bicycles hidden in rubbish recycling centers. Currently 25 of the 27 known black markets have been closed after the first stage of investigation. New regulations to enhance the security of bicycle management will be released, soon.

 

Statistics show that the incidence rate of bicycle thefts in Beijing last month was 46% lower than the same period last year, which was a great success for the crack-down.