Bicycles, standing or moving, are a frequent theme in my work. Perhaps by their beauty, while object, the plasticity of movement that it provides or the sympathy I have for this kind of urban transport, so clean and so silent.

According to estimates, China had about 500 million bicycles, more or less 1/3 of existing in the world. Although they are still ubiquitous in their cities, impressive levels of economic growth and consequent enrichment of good portion of its inhabitants, has caused this citizens to prefer other kinds of vehicles, more comfortable and fast (and also more polluting), as motorcycles and cars.

In Shanghai, for example, the rates of passengers transported by bicycle fell from 70% in 1990 to just over 15% in 2004. Added to this, aimed at reducing the growing number of accidents involving cyclists and cars, the mayor of that city started in that same year, a process of restricting bicycles access to different areas and avenues.

Having as background this great metropolis, which was known as the “Orient Pearl”, and that after a long sleep awakens again to resume its place in the world, I’ve tried to show that, despite some setbacks, the pedals are still deeply rooted in culture and the everyday routine of this country. The bikes in China are still synonyms of work and transport.