xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
all images courtesy of xiaomeng zhao

 

 

 

once known as the kingdom of bicycles, china’s citizens once used bikes nearly exclusively for transportation. an essential part of the chinese lifestyle, they were both a cultural symbol and a shared memory of many generations. however, the new millennium has arrived, and with it came car culture. metropolitan cities, like beijing, have grown accustomed to the convenience and easy comfort of a vehicle. 

xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
bicycle in case

 

 

 

lost in the mass move towards automotive transportation, is the humble, always dependable bicycle. formerly the iconic mode of transit, cycling has been reduce to a sign of socially vulnerable groups unable to afford the luxury of a car. artist xiaomeng zhao has spent years watching the massive transitions taking place in modern china. after wondering where bicycles were disappearing too, he set off in search of them. not surprisingly, many were found in a state of disrepair, dilapidated and rusty. 

xiaomeng zhao bicycles in beijing, now designboom
with a tire and fire extinguisher 

 

 

 

yet, some have managed to live on. ‘bicycles in beijing, now’ documents the unique ways the iron horses of china have been repurposed or are currently used. zhao says about the project, ‘the present fate of these objects is a reflection of how the chinese, as individuals, are coping with the seismic shifts that their lives, and their country is undergoing every day.’ 

xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
bike and chair

xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
broken

xiaomeng zhao bicycles in beijing, now designboom
behind springs

xiaomengzhaodesignboom01
with chain

xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
covered

xiaomeng zhao bicycles in beijing, now designboom
with a dog 

xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
bicycle vs car

xiaomeng zhao explores modern china in bicycles in beijing, now series
pile of bikes 

xiaomeng zhao bicycles in beijing, now designboom
shots from ‘bicycles in beijing, now’

 

 

designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.

 

edited by: nick brink | designboom