I have never been to Shanghai, but Beijing when I was there was very bike-friendly---as in the bike lane was about twenty feet wide. I hear that changed when cars got more popular and might be changing back. I think a lot of it was economic---people couldn't afford cars. But in a city it is a lot easier ... and in a bike-friendly city even easier.
A lot of people simply do not have the option ... either to own multiple homes, be debt-free, or be car-free.
Glad it works for you. Not being sarcastic at all when i say that. Glad you designed a life which suits you.