A 38-YEAR-OLD man has spent three months cycling 6,500 kilometers from Shandong Province to Shenzhen to promote the idea of green commuting, the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported Thursday.

Liu Chengyi, from Heilongjiang Province, has worked at construction sites and coal yards. While living in a city in Shandong in 2010, Liu noticed that traffic jams and vehicle emissions were big problems in the city.

“Driving a car to work will cause air pollution and it is more time-consuming than riding a bike, which is why I want to promote the idea of green commuting,” he said. Liu quit his job in June 2010 and traveled around China by bicycle for one and a half years. He promoted a low-carbon lifestyle and environment-friendly ideas along the journey.

After saving up over 10,000 yuan (US$1,515), Liu set off on a new journey in July. He departed from Penglai, in Shandong, on July 8, and rode over 6,500 kilometers in more than three months before arriving in Shenzhen on Oct. 20. He installed a trailer behind his bike to carry his tent and baggage.

Liu visited many cities during the journey, such as Qingdao, Tianjin, Lianyungang, Yangzhou, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou. When he arrived in a new city, he would go to the local post office and get a stamp in his notebook.

Liu was impressed by Shenzhen, calling it a modern and green metropolis with friendly residents. According to Liu, he will continue his journey and ride to Hainan Island. After arriving in Sanya, Liu will return north and ride back to his hometown in Heilongjiang before the Spring Festival. He will have ridden around 10,000 kilometers by the end of the whole journey. (Zhang Yang)