How do modern Chinese people commute to work? Cars, public buses, subways are among the first choices. The image of "a country of bicycles" is eventually fading away. In the past, bikes were the first choice for cars and buses had not been popular, but today, for Dr. Henry Guo, assistant professor of TESL, UIC, cycling to work is still his first choice, not because he couldn't afford a car, but simply because he is practicing and promoting a low-carbon and environment-friendly lifestyle.
With an old fashioned bike and a flag attached in the front that read "I love fresh air", Dr. Guo sets off one and half an hour earlier from his home in Meiliwan, more than 20 kilometers away from the UIC campus. Since the autumn in 2009, he has been doing this on weekdays.
Cycling averages approximately three hours a day contributes to his healthy body and spiritual happiness. He stated that, "I obtain physiological and psychological satisfaction from cycling. As the famous English Science Fiction Writer H.G. Wells says, Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I am no longer despair about the future of the human race. "
The public attention was attracted to the well-marked publicity flags tied to his bike which read "I like fresh air", "Slow down to enjoy the natural beauty", "Cycle to and from work" and so on. He said that, "Publicity flags which stand out play a large role in promotion of environmental protection. I don't care how people think of me only if it serves the purpose of propagation."
Dr. Guo was invited to the Zhuhai Broadcasting Station for an interview on September 9, 2010, and was honored as Image Ambassador of Low-carbon Life and Green Transportation by Zhuhai Recreation & Sports and Tourism Administration on the Zhuhai No Car Day on September 22, 2010.
Dr. Guo's enthusiasm for cycling is attributable to his experiences of studying in England. He said: "People in England attach great importance to environmental protection. It is common that many university professors prefer riding bicycles to driving cars. As a returnee from overseas, it is my responsibility to introduce foreign advanced ideas to China. Going green is an inevitable trend in modern society and needs great efforts from individuals and communities in addition to Zhuhai authorities. "
Dr. Guo's action in favor of environmental protection has aroused wide attention and has gained great support from UIC teachers and students. He siad: "Thanks to the openness and diversification in UIC, I can do whatever is considered significant by myself even though it is something unusual. I hope that UIC students can take the advantage of the platform to do more meaningful things. "
Reporter: Huang Shanqing
Photos provided by Dr. Henry Guo
Edited by Richard Xu
MPRO
