Beijing traffic police have created a map of secure bicycle parking zones to help prevent bike theft in China's capital city.

Star Daily on Tuesday reported the police worked with Beijing Public Transport Holdings and Beijing Subway Company to produce the map, which indicates the locations of 305 secure bicycle parking areas near train, bus and subway stations.

All of the parking areas on the map have been registered with the police. All have new guard rails and 24 hour staff to guard the bicycles. Almost half have been equipped with 24 hour closed circuit TV surveillance systems linked to security departments. Police are ready to respond to any alarms sounded by the surveillance system straight away.

Up to now, five parking areas near the busy Xizhimen subway station have been renovated and put into service.

The police hope the move will effectively reduce bicycle theft, which frequently occurs around subway stations. They also remind people to discourage thieves by registering new bicycles and buying effective locks.

(CRI April 25, 2007)