QA：为什么很多中国人在大城市不开车？
Why are many Chinese people not driving cars in the major cities?
译文简介
网友：谢谢你提出这个有趣的问题。这听起来可能有点奇怪，但我不开车上班的原因是：坐地铁上班让我有时间看书。我说的阅读，不是指刷社交媒体。我指的是读一本实体书，无论是指尖轻翻的纸质书，还是平板电脑上的电子书......
正文翻译
Why are many Chinese people not driving cars in the major cities?
为什么很多中国人在大城市不开车？
为什么很多中国人在大城市不开车？
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Hi, Jake Go. Thanks for the interesting question.
This may sound strange, but the reason I don’t drive to work is because taking the Metro to work instead gives me the time to get some reading done. And when I say reading, I don’t mean scrolling through social media. I mean like reading an actual book, whether it’s a physical book with pages you can flip between your fingers, or a digital one on my tablet.
I have tried audio books previously, but I much prefer to consume my books the traditional way, as in reading words from a page. Currently, I’m reading Edward Ashton’s Mickey7. Yes, I watched the movie first, and then only got the book. And yes, I know it’s not exactly highbrow, so please feel free to make fun of my reading choices :D
Chengdu is also a city of 21 million people. If everyone drove to work, well…
Why should I drive when the public transport is cheap and super efficient? Isn’t taking public transport supposed to get more cars off the street, which will help reduce pollution and traffic congestion in the city, and provide people with an affordable and efficient way to get from Point A to Point B?
While I do have an EV, I consider it a luxury, because I mainly use it for traveling to other cities on the weekends or public holidays.
你好，Jake Go。谢谢你提出这个有趣的问题。
这听起来可能有点奇怪，但我不开车上班的原因是：坐地铁上班让我有时间看书。我说的阅读，不是指刷社交媒体。我指的是读一本实体书，无论是指尖轻翻的纸质书，还是平板电脑上的电子书。
我以前也听过有声读物，但我更喜欢传统的方式，比如直接读纸质书。目前，我正在读爱德华·阿什顿的《米奇7》。是的，我是先看了电影，然后才拿到书的。我知道这本书不算高雅，所以请随意取笑我的阅读选择吧。
成都也是一座拥有2100万人口的城市。如果每个人都开车上班，那……
公共交通既便宜又高效，我为什么要开车呢？乘坐公共交通可以减少街道上的汽车数量，从而减少城市污染和交通拥堵，并为人们提供经济高效的从A点到达B点的方式，这难道不应该吗？
虽然我有一辆电动汽车，但我认为这是一种不常有的乐趣，因为我主要在周末或公共假期用它去其他城市。
无论如何，如果你想探索成都，并且只使用公共交通工具，那太容易了：
The signages and maps are relatively easy to read:
标牌和地图相对容易阅读：
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
The stations are well-maintained and I think they’re relatively clean:
车站维护得很好，我认为它们相对干净：
The inside of the metro trains themselves are quite okay as well:
地铁列车内部本身也相当不错：
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
I would also like to address something else.
I noticed that one of the answers for this question, an answer written by a Mark Stubbs, features a picture which he appears to suggest was taken somewhere in China:
我还想谈一点其他的事情。
我注意到这个问题的一个答案，是由 Mark Stubbs 写的，其中有一张照片，他似乎是在暗示这是在中国某处拍摄的：
Although I’ve not traveled across the whole of China, this location didn’t strike me as being a location anywhere in China.
So I reverse-searched the image, and I discovered that the image posted in Mark Stubbs’ answer is from Associated Press, and was taken in Mecca, capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia.
So, Mark Stubbs, if you’re going to use a picture, you might want to double-check whether it’s an accurate one before using it.
虽然我没有走遍整个中国，但这个地方给我的感觉不像是中国的某个地方。
于是我反向搜索了图片，发现 Mark Stubbs 的回答中发布的图片来自美联社，拍摄地点是沙特阿拉伯西部希贾兹地区麦加省的首府麦加。
所以，Mark Stubbs，如果你要使用图片，最好在使用前仔细检查它是否准确。
This is the 成都天府大道 (Chéngdū tiānfǔ dàdào) or Chengdu Tianfu Avenue.
因为，Mark Stubbs ，成都的主干道长这样。
这就是成都天府大道。
它穿过许多地标建筑，例如：成都高新技术产业开发区、世纪城和天府公园等等。
Conclusion:
I choose not to drive a car to work because I get to enjoy more reading time when I commute by Metro. For me, more reading done equals more happiness.
I also don’t need to commute by car because public transport here in Chengdu is cheap, convenient, efficient, and well-maintained.
结论：
我选择不开车上班，因为坐地铁可以享受更多的阅读时间。对我来说，读得越多，就越快乐。
我也不需要开车上班，因为成都的公共交通便宜、便捷、高效，而且维护良好。
Mark Stubbs, l just simply like to know what benefits do you have for posting such. Fact is Fact ! One should contribute truth and correct to help others to enhance knowledge to expand their horizons. Have you now learned to be a better person in this world? Please do good and make your parents proud of you. See the fruit, know the tree !
Mark Stubbs，我只是想知道你发这种帖子有什么好处。事实就是事实！一个人应该贡献真理和正确信息，帮助他人提升知识，拓展视野。你现在学会在这个世界上做一个更好的人了吗？请做好事，让你的父母为你感到骄傲。见其果，知其树！
Mr/Ms Huang, I upvoted your comment. But I think your message to Stubbs was a wasted effort. I think it was like “playing a lute to a cow” (對牛彈琴)
黄先生/女士，我点赞了你的评论。但我觉得你给 Mark Stubbs 的留言是白费力气。我觉得这就像“对牛弹琴”。
Please don’t insult the cow.
请不要侮辱牛。
Thanks once again Dante for interesting and informative content, and beautiful photography.
再次感谢 Dante 提供有趣且信息丰富的内容，以及精美的摄影作品。
For a while I thought people in China drive buses to work. HMMm
有一段时间，我以为中国人是开巴士上班的。嗯……
Are there many non-spicy options for food there in Chengdu?
成都有很多不辣的食物可供选择吗？
Being honest, driving your own car in Chengdu during rush hours is no fun at all. It's the provincial capital city with a population of over 20 Million people, after all. Not as messy as depicted by M. Stubbs in Mekka, but having public transport for your daily commuting is a real blessing.
Whenever visiting Chengdu, I'll try parking my car in the suburbs and taking Metro, Bus or even Taxis for reaching the final destination.
Or I keep my car at home all together and take the fast train into the city.
说实话，在成都高峰时段开自己的车实在不好玩。毕竟，它是一座拥有两千多万人口的省会城市。虽然不像《麦加的斯塔布斯》里描绘的那样乱糟糟，但每天能有公共交通工具通勤也是一件幸事。
每次去成都，我都会尝试把车停在郊区，然后乘坐地铁、公交车甚至出租车到达目的地。
或者，我把车留在家里，然后坐特快列车进城。
What about families?
I drive in Taipei where traffic is hell too, but I have to send two kids to two separate schools before arriving at work, and public transport just isn’t good enough for that.
那家庭成员怎么办？
我在台北开车，那里的交通也很拥堵，但我上班前必须把两个孩子送到不同的学校，而公共交通根本不够用。
This is the subway map of Chengdu. The distance between two points is about 500-1000 meters. As long as you get up early enough, it is not a problem to send two children. If the child is over 10 years old, then just drop him off at the subway station near the school.
这是成都的地铁线路图。两点之间的距离大概在500-1000米之间。只要你起得够早，送两个孩子是没问题的。如果孩子超过10岁，就直接送到学校附近的地铁站就行。
It's Just Tom
I see.
That network is indeed far denser than the one in Taipei.
原来如此。
那边的地铁网络确实比台北的密集得多。
Well said, thank you! There is no such alternative in the US major cities, say NYC. Commuting to work in the NYC subways was horrific, the crowds, the danger. I used to do that. And driving to work was impossible. In the suburbs, there’s the traffic jams.
What you show for Chengdu is ideal.
说得好，谢谢！在美国的大城市，比如纽约，没有这样的选择。坐纽约地铁上班太可怕了，拥挤不堪，危险重重。我以前也坐地铁。而且开车上班根本不可能。在郊区，交通拥堵。
你展示的成都非常理想。
I love your answer. Loved reading about your country. Wish I could visit!
我喜欢你的回答。很喜欢阅读关于你们国家的帖子。真希望有机会去看看！
Thanks for the pics. Even though, I have never been to Chengdu, I know it’s a beautiful city. I heard nearby Kunming and Chongqing are too.
谢谢你的照片。虽然我没去过成都，但我知道它是一座美丽的城市。我听说附近的昆明和重庆也很漂亮。
No room for more cars
没有空间容纳更多的汽车了
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
Joseph C. McDonnell
Well, at least in Beijing so many people are not driving cars because they face severe restrictions on buying a vehicle.
Currently in Beijing you need to obtain a license plate in order to buy a car. There are two types of plates for passenger vehicles: e-vehicle plate or gas-powered vehicle plate. New gas-powered vehicle plates are no longer issued and only new e-vehicle plates are allowed. Also, to obtain a new e-vehicle plate you must enter a lottery system. The average time until you are sexted to receive a plate is at least ten years.
The only way you can buy a new gas-powered vehicle is if you already have a gas-powered plate from an old vehicle which you are disposing of. You cannot use that plate to purchase an e-vehicle. Similarly, if you have an e-vehicle plate from an older car, you can dispose of that car and use the plate to buy a new e-vehicle. You cannot use it to purchase a gas-powered vehicle.
Traffic in Beijing can be horrible. During morning and late afternoon rush hours, it can take at least 2 hours to travel 30 km. During certain holidays, such as Chinese New Year, it can take 9 hours to drive 40 km. During off-peak hours, I can go 30 km in about 30 minutes.
Beijing is a highly congested city with a population of approximately 25 million people. If everybody that wanted a car could have one, traffic in Beijing would be a total disaster.
嗯，至少在北京，很多人不开车，因为他们在购买车辆方面有严格的限制。
目前在北京，你需要获得车牌才能买车。车牌照有两种：电动汽车牌照和燃气汽车牌照。现在北京不再发放新的燃气汽车牌照，只允许发放新的电动汽车牌照。此外，要获得新的电动汽车牌照，你必须参加摇号。平均至少需要十年才能被选中获得牌照。
唯一可以购买新的燃气汽车的方式是，你已经拥有一辆正在处理的老车的燃气牌照。你不能用那辆车的牌照来购买电动汽车。同样，如果你有一辆老车的电动汽车牌照，你可以处理掉那辆车，然后用那辆车的牌照来购买新的电动汽车。你不能用它购买燃气汽车。
北京的交通状况很糟糕。在早高峰和晚高峰时段，行驶30公里至少需要2个小时。在某些节假日，例如春节，行驶40公里可能需要9个小时。在非高峰时段，我大约30分钟就能行驶30公里。
北京是一个交通拥堵的城市，人口约2500万。如果每个想开车的人都能拥有一辆车，那么，北京的交通将会是一场彻底的灾难。
We used to envy the U.S. for being known as the "nation on wheels." Cars were glorified as symbols of wealth and a comfortable life—until the day we actually owned one. Then, some unexpected things happened.
We never realized how narrow and congested the roads were. The frustration of being stuck in traffic for hours, barely moving a few meters, hit us hard. Especially during rush hour, the snail-like pace of traffic could drive anyone mad. This problem wasn’t just limited to smaller cities; it was even worse in major ones. The endless queue of cars on the ring road was enough to make you cry in despair. The rapid development of the economy had outpaced the city’s earlier road planning, turning it into a total failure. Some roads were built too narrow, while others were so wide that they were inconvenient for pedestrians. Now, they need to be redesigned from scratch.
We also never imagined how rude and reckless some drivers could be. Some would jump from lane to lane like monkeys, always trying to squeeze into the fastest track without considering the increased risk of accidents. Others lacked the patience to use their turn signals, suddenly changing lanes and infuriating the drivers behind them. Road rage became so intense that it sometimes led to serious conflicts. Some extreme drivers even treated public roads like racetracks, putting everyone in danger.
Parking was another nightmare we hadn’t prepared for. Residential buildings didn’t have enough parking spaces for the growing number of cars. Coming home meant either desperately searching for free parking or paying extra for an overnight spot, adding to the family’s financial burden. Buying an underground parking space or a private parking spot was a wise investment, especially for electric vehicle owners. Having your own parking space meant you could install a charging station and power your car conveniently and cheaply. Unfortunately, most people in major cities didn’t think ahead and missed the chance to buy one when they were still affordable.
On top of all this, maintaining and repairing a car was another significant expense. Insurance costs were also high. Facing so many financial burdens with a limited income was a real challenge. The pressure was much greater compared to those who didn’t own or drive a car.
In major cities, we’ve seen problems with drivers, roads, poor urban planning, and the high costs of vehicle ownership. So, knowing all these challenges, would you still want to own a car and drive freely to expand your living space?
我们曾经羡慕美国被称为“车轮上的国家”。汽车被奉为财富和舒适生活的象征——直到我们真正拥有了汽车的那一天。然而，一些意想不到的事情发生了。
我们从未意识到道路如此狭窄拥堵。堵车几个小时，寸步难行，那种沮丧感深深地折磨着我们。尤其是在交通高峰期，蜗牛般的拥堵速度简直让人抓狂。这个问题不仅仅局限于小城市，在大城市甚至更为严重。环城公路上排起的长龙，足以让人绝望地哭泣。经济的快速发展超越了城市早期的道路规划，使其彻底失败。有些道路建得太窄，有些道路又太宽，对行人不便。现在，这些道路需要重新设计。
我们也从未想过，有些司机竟然如此粗鲁鲁莽。有些人像猴子一样在车道间来回穿梭，总是想挤进最快的车道，却丝毫不顾及事故风险的增加。有些人甚至没有耐心打转向灯，突然变道，惹怒了后面的司机。“路怒症”愈演愈烈，有时甚至引发严重的冲突。一些极端司机甚至把公共道路当成赛道，置所有人于危险之中。
停车是另一个我们始料未及的噩梦。住宅楼的停车位不足以容纳日益增多的汽车。回家意味着要么拼命寻找免费停车位，要么额外付费过夜，这加重了家庭的经济负担。购买地下停车位或私人停车位是一项明智的投资，尤其对于电动汽车车主而言。拥有自己的停车位意味着可以安装充电桩，方便又便宜地为汽车充电。可惜的是，大多数大城市的人没有提前考虑，错过了在价格尚可的时候购买停车位的机会。
除此之外，汽车的保养和维修也是另一项不小的开支。保险费用也很高。在有限的收入下承受如此多的经济负担，确实是一个挑战。与那些没有车或没有驾驶汽车的人相比，有车的人的压力要大得多。
在大城市，我们看到了驾驶员、道路、糟糕的城市规划以及高昂的购车成本等诸多问题。那么，在了解了所有这些挑战之后，你还想拥有一辆车，自由驾驶，扩大你的生活空间吗？