bike riding in Beijing 101

i bought myself a bike this weekend. a real beauty of a bike with no gears and no strings or whistles attached. yesterday when i woke up it was snowing outside. i decided to brave the ride to work regardless and here is what i learnt:

1) buses often do not stop before turning right on red lights
2) in fact buses (and smaller vehicles) often just drive through red lights
3) people drive in all directions and
4) everyone else in beijing seems oblivious to the dangers of bicycling.

today, it was blue skies and sunshine when i got up. nevertheless, on my way to work i stopped in at the local bicycle store and equipped myself with:

a) a bell (necessary to warn slow riders to get out of my way)
b) a light (so that i am somewhat visible at night) and
c) a helmet (to protect what little i have in my brain).

i now realise that i am the ONLY person in beijing to wear a bicycle helmet. hooray for leading edge!

Posted by nicki at December 11, 2007 05:31 PM