Bike Forums - Photos of a Beijing commute

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I like the site name :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by genec

I have not yet been to Beijing, (I hope to get a chance to go) but I found this statement very true on my visits to Hangzhou... and I was instructed by my fellow engineers/hosts to avoid looking at drivers while I crossed the street on foot. Very strange practice... avoiding eye contact while hoping to not be hit.

Yes, and of course it doesn't always work. I've seen some really bad accidents resulting from bike casually drifting across three lanes of traffic without looking, and getting hit from behind.

Quote:

Originally Posted by genec

belive me there are more people moving on foot and bike than by car... at least where I visited in Hangzhou.

My guess is that there are more cars in Beijing than Hangzhou (never been). I don't think I've ever seen the streams of bicycles you refer to, but maybe I'm just desensitized. I have been stuck in bicycle jams -- at busy intersections during rush hour, you can get a group of bikes 5 bikes wide and more than 10 bikes deep waiting for the light to change. Annoying if you're stuck behind them and just want to make a right turn. I guess that's what drivers feel like all the time!

Oh, and +1 on the rain gear comment! It's great -- like watching a city of tents riding around.

Hope you have a chance to visit Beijing in the future. It can be ugly, maddening, and polluted but it's rarely boring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jur

This brings back memories. I've been there many times, and am scheduled again for next month. Great photos!

Regarding air quality: I have never ever seen it better than in these photos. Once we had some Chinese chaps over to Melbourne for training; one day they were enjoying a break outside, and they were staring at the daytime moon. One asks, "Do you ALWAYS see the moon here??" Turns out they have never seen the moon in the day!! :eek: At the best of times I have trouble seeing the sun there :eek: :eek:

I don't think it's quite as bad as you make it out to be. If the winds are right, we can get beautiful clear blue skies, particularly in the early autumn -- by the way, that's the best time to visit, if anyone is thinking about it. These photos were taken on one of the worst days I've seen in a long while. Hope things will have improved by the time you get here!

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTAC

I like the site name :)

I like your avatar! :)

nice photos. was expecting to see lot more bikes and lot older bikes. Guess they don't export all of their stuff to America :p