Beijing Today has reported Beijing's bicycle sales could be set to hit record highs this year as more foreigners are expected to take up cycling than ever before. Among the city's estimated 70,000 laowais, increasing number are buying bicycles in an effort to beat traffic and cut costs. And with warmer weather just weeks away, the trend looks set to spread.

Elena Rospetti is a student from Italy. She bought a new bicycle a few weeks ago to save money on taxi fares and to feel more like a native Beijinger. For her, it's also a great way to travel through hutongs and get a bit of exercise all at the same time.

More and more of her friends are staring to cycle as well. Elena says, "I think they realize it's the best way to get around and with spring approaching it's become even more tempting."

Braving Beijing's roads, bustling with pedestrians, taxis, buses and carts, may not be everyone's idea of fun, but Elena insists it is not as dangerous as it looks. She says,"I don't think cycling is particularly dangerous in Beijing. It's certainly safer than cycling in my home city, Milan."

Chris O' Brien is a copy editor from England. He believes Beijing's broad avenues, tree-lined streets and narrow hutongs make the city the perfect environment for cyclists. According to Chris, "Beijing is a huge metropolis but it's flat and is therefore ideal for cycling. As long as you keep an eye on what's happening around you, you should be fine. The car may still be king for many Beijing residents, but with well over 2.2 million cars on the road today and estimates of 5 million by 2012, cycling could soon become the only way to get around the city quickly."

Italian engineer Michele Abis says she began cycling after becoming aggravated by constant traffic and wasting of so much time sitting in taxis.

"Sometimes in the evening, I can't find a taxi to get home from work so it's very convenient to have a bicycle. It's good that there are bicycle lanes, but sometimes you do see cars driving in them and other cyclists traveling in the wrong direction which can be very dangerous."