Solve the traffic nightmare - winners announced!

After some fierce and spirited debate, the winners and honourable mentions for solving the traffic nightmare are announced! Read on to see who the lucky ones are!

Well well well. The traffic nightmare of Beijing provoked the most lengthy debate and venting seen on our website in many many months. It is extremely clear from some people's suggestions that a few too many have had a chip on their shoulder for the best part of a decade (admin, I'm looking at you). We saw suggestions ranging from the most practical to the most frighteningly illegal.

And, for good measure, would you believe that the Beijing government have announced that the new license plate restrictions coupled with the simultaneous opening of 5 subway lines have already "obviously' eased the traffic congestion? I think anyone who was near Guomao last night will wholeheartedly disagree with that assessment, but nevertheless you can read the article by the China Daily here. Interestingly, a man is thrilled that he can drive home at 40km/h to Daxing despite the new Daxing subway line being built for that purpose. Oh dear.

We at the office have decided that we will be giving away one bottle of wine for the winner of each category: The most creative idea, and the most realistic idea.

The most creative ideas were (in no particular order) :

Serrot's proposal to instigate a class war and start smashing the windows of luxury cars owned by the filthy rich.

Herojuana's proposal to remove cars of certain "quality" of the road (QQ, Xiali, City Baby etc) and crush them. It should also be pointed out that Admin suggested that the drivers should be crushed with them. Harsh, but clearly the words of a man who has been here before the establishment of the 5th ring road.

Bigsisjiejie's idea to give UZI's to all bicyclists (someone has been here too long i think).

Jonnybigstar's idea of trading in IC card's for 'flying pigeon' bicycles. Just imagine the queue's of people that would create! Brilliant. Besides, we all are saddened by the demise of the pigeon.

Admin's idea to have all motorist's install an interior horn that goes off when you honk the exterior horn.

Lauren_McCarthy's idea to have cars impounded on the extreme outskirts of the city, deliberately scratching them for good measure.

Waitaitai's idea to put disabling boots on every. single. Audi. No exceptions. Amen!

The most realistic ideas were (again in no particular order) :

Waitaitai's idea to put disabling boots on every. single. Audi. No exceptions (this idea is both creative and practical). We all hate Audi's!

Barry's suggestion to actually start towing cars and police to do their job. Agreed. Yet its amazing that such a simple idea could unfortunately be so idealistic at the same time.

Vmomo's suggestion that a massive congestion charge should be instigated to all those who will be driving within the 4th ring road, and a huge fine to those who only have one in the car, and increasing the price of petrol. These are all easily achievable and ultra realistic ideas.

Thim Anglais' urging for the city to stop building outside the 5th ring road and encourage people to move closer to their work. Thim Anglais is absolutely right about American Exurbs being a complete failure.

Lynxlynx's suggestion that there be 24 hour bus lanes. Lynxlynx also deserves special mention for the amount of idea's that he posted up, a unique mixture of creative, practical and mildly fascist.

Peter Seller's suggestion that the government ease restrictions on motorbikes and electric bikes. Again, sensible and practical, especially for those who live close to their work.

Admin's suggestion for ultra-extortionate fines for people who break fundamental traffic rules on the freeways (ie, reversing).

And the winners are....

Most creative: Jonnybigstar's idea of trading in IC card's for 'flying pigeon' bicycles.
Honourable mention goes to Admin and the installing of an interior horn.

Most realistic: Vmomo's suggestion that a massive congestion charge should be instigated to all those who will be driving within the 4th ring road, and a huge fine to those who only have one in the car, and increasing the price of petrol.
Honourable mention goes to Peter Seller's wish to bring back the motorbikes.

You can contact the Beijinger at michaelwester@truerun.com to claim your prize!

Congratulations to both! And thank you to everyone who participated and getting a car load of your chest.