Before I moved to Beijing, I read an article about Biking Beijing. In the article the author claimed that to truly experience Beijing, you have to experience it by bike. I would have to agree with the author on many levels. In the US we have heard the stories about the millions of bicyclist commuting to work, the miles of bike lanes, the transportation of mail, garbage, water jugs, food, recycling, furniture, etc. However, I think these points are valid but are a superficial understanding. As one expat told me, “You would have to be crazy to ride a bike in Beijing”.
Riding a bike in Beijing is not a relaxing experience. You cannot drink a beer and leisurely have a conversation with another rider. Riding a bike is an exciting, frustrating, rewarding, heart pounding and dangerous experience. First of all, the “bike lanes” are shared with motorcycles, parked cars, buses, vans, taxis, rickshaws, and horses. Sometimes, the bike lanes are so full of vehicles; you have no choice but to ride on the sidewalk (see video). Secondly, everybody rides in every direction and at every speed while continuously honking or ringing their bell as they pass. To ride in Beijing is to be comfortable missing vehicles (buses and cars), bikes and people with less then an inch to spare. You may think there are hundreds of accidents every minute on the bike lanes, but there are very few. This last point leads to the reason why I believe that riding a bike in Beijing is a rewarding experience and a must for every visitor who wants to experience the culture.
When you ride or drive in the US you are primarily concerned with yourself and getting to your destination. However, when you ride a bike in China you are aware of everyone on the road and everyone does everything they can to avoid an accident. This is the fundamental difference, there is no “I have the right-of-way”; you simply adjust to make room for the other person. What is amazing about this is that it occurs at fast speeds, with no verbal communication and with multiple people. It is amazing that a group of people can collectively think and make group decision just by looking at each other.
Forever is a popular bike brand in China, but the quality is so poor that I would be surprised if the bike lasts a year. Then again, what can you expect from a bike that only costs 50$.
The classic picture of the girl on the back of the bike or motorcycle riding side saddle
Notice the horse is stopped in the middle of the cross walk. In China there is never a bad time or place to stop a car, bike or horse.
The road to the left of the video is actually the "bike lane" but is so congested with vehicles during rush hour that I have to ride my bike on the sidewalk.
Riding a bike in Beijing is not a relaxing experience. You cannot drink a beer and leisurely have a conversation with another rider. Riding a bike is an exciting, frustrating, rewarding, heart pounding and dangerous experience. First of all, the “bike lanes” are shared with motorcycles, parked cars, buses, vans, taxis, rickshaws, and horses. Sometimes, the bike lanes are so full of vehicles; you have no choice but to ride on the sidewalk (see video). Secondly, everybody rides in every direction and at every speed while continuously honking or ringing their bell as they pass. To ride in Beijing is to be comfortable missing vehicles (buses and cars), bikes and people with less then an inch to spare. You may think there are hundreds of accidents every minute on the bike lanes, but there are very few. This last point leads to the reason why I believe that riding a bike in Beijing is a rewarding experience and a must for every visitor who wants to experience the culture.
When you ride or drive in the US you are primarily concerned with yourself and getting to your destination. However, when you ride a bike in China you are aware of everyone on the road and everyone does everything they can to avoid an accident. This is the fundamental difference, there is no “I have the right-of-way”; you simply adjust to make room for the other person. What is amazing about this is that it occurs at fast speeds, with no verbal communication and with multiple people. It is amazing that a group of people can collectively think and make group decision just by looking at each other.
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| Delivering Water Jugs to Apartments by Bike |
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| Electric Bikes, Not Cars are Taking Over China |
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| An electric bike can be purchased for only 250$ |
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| My "Forever" Bike |
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| A Man Sorts Through Trash Cans Looking for Recyclables |
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| Most fast food chains and restaurants offer delivery. |
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| Oversized Load |
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| Side Saddle |
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| Horse and Cart in Downtown Beijing |
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