I've never ridden one either and only have the image of a clown at the circus in my mind. Surely it would difficult to stay balanced with nothing to hold onto. I don't imagine it would have any brakes, and would be slow off the starting line at traffic lights. There is nothing in Australia or Europe that I can think of which comes close to the traffic conditions in a major Chinese city. Not just the cars, but motorcycles, electric bicycles, bicycles, pedestrians etc. Speed, and moving forward at all times is essential. Find yourself at a standing-start in the middle of the road with traffic going around you in all directions and it is very difficult to move.