On 12/05/2013 20:47, Recliner wrote:
" wrote:
On 12/05/2013 15:21, Recliner wrote:
Mizter T wrote:
On 09/05/2013 13:10, Recliner wrote:

I think the leaders probably wanted to avoid the third world look of
millions of shabby bikes cluttering up the elegant boulevards, as the
leaders must have observed on their regular visits in Beijing. There may
also have been an element of, "we've provided you with a Metro and plenty
of cheap buses/trams, so USE them". Also, there would have been a demand
for cycle racks both at work places and in the cramped, high rise apartment
blocks, which probably don't have room for bikes, and may not have lifts.
Finally, Pyongyang is fairly compact, so most people probably live close
enough to walk to work if necessary (particularly if they're allocated
apartments close to where they work). Separately, women were banned from
cycling throughout the country for many years, as the leader didn't like
the look of women on bikes.


Would you say that Pyongyang is generally a rather small town?

I wouldn't go that far, but by Asian standards, it's not a large city. As
admission is restricted, you don't get the normal influx of peasants
looking for pavements paved with gold, and we saw no evidence of beggars or
homeless or even unemployed people. You do see a few shacks, but not the
typical large shanty towns or illegally extended properties. I presume only
those with jobs or academic places in the city are allowed to live there,
so it keeps it tidy.

It's neither about jobs or academic places, so much as it is about
political loyalty, if you want to live in Pyongyang.

There are also lots of
apparently abandoned building projects which show evidence of very poor
workmanship (the concrete looks hand moulded).

Because it is hand moulded.