Why did China change from bike-friendly to car-infested?

Question

I was reading last months issue of Bicycling magazine and found this article about how Holland is the bike capital of the world. The author was speaking to his accomplice while riding their bikes and discussed about how China used to be a bike haven because it was cheaper for everyone to use bikes compared to buying cars. However, China made a drastic turn and switched to an American car-infested change and now the country hold's some of the worst living conditions ever.

So why did China change to an automobile route instead of sticking to their bikes? Why doesn't everyone switch to bikes?

Answer 1

It is true chinas economy is rising therefore cars are getting cheaper and more folks can afford them as well.  Also, there are more car companies investing in the china market because of this.  If you look at the models there the models are fairly small even their larger vehicles including cargo trucks and vans.

Answer 2

the same reason why we are driving instead of riding bikes, as our ecnomy grows, people need to go places further and faster to do business or to work.

Answer 3

Maybee to make gas more expensive.

Answer 4

people in China are enjoying a better economy and a little more freedom and now can afford things like cars that they couldn't before.