Bikes in Shanghai

 

For a nation of sports mad people, Aussies would find it a bit strange that bikes are used as a transportation tool in China rather than recreation facility.

China is a land of bicycles. Every one rides bikes. Brand new bikes are very cheap with the average brand new bicycle (multi speed - with baskets for the groceries) being about RMB 200-500. The best place to buy a bike is one of Carrefour supermarkets.

Shanghai city is located on a plain with little or no hills which allows bicycles to be used very easily. Designated parking spots for bikes can be found nearly everywhere at shops, companies, schools etc.

People don’t wear a helmet when riding a bike. However in summer, you will find lots of female cyclists wearing fairy wings - a white cover across their arms and shoulders to prevent being sun-burn.

On most of the major roads, bike lanes are provided. On small streets and roads, cars have to be careful of those ubiquitous bikes by driving slowly because bikes normally dominate the roads even though cars are officially the priority vehicle there.

Lots of bikes are stolen every day even though people use both front and back locks on their bikes. There is an underground second-hand bike market near

Shanghai railway station. 90% of bikes there are stolen. I used to have a bike which a friend bought for me from that market. It was nearly new, had a basket, a lock and all the other bits and it only cost 100RMB!

Comments

[jojo]

Hello

I love the photos you are putting on your blog, they look really nice - I really hope to get to Shanghai one day to see all thise sites myself. Is it safe in Shanghai for a woman on her own? For a holiday I mean, not to move there anyway.

jojo

[Sabrina]

Thanks jojo!

Shanghai is a relatively safe city. For a woman traveler, I think the most important thing is to avoid walking in the dark streets at night after 9pm. There were cases of robbery and harrassment to females walking in the dark streets at night reported.

Also be alert when you are on a public transportation such as buses and metro. There are theft and harrassment thanks to the crowded situation.

Good luck!
Sabrina

[ludwig]

I ride bicycle often is Shanghai.
It’s delicious, safe.
Compare to my country in Europe, it never rains here in Shanghai or rarely.
I drive also a big gas scooter.
The taxi driver are annoying . They should be arrested more often by the Police.
And reeducate.
But no others trouble.
Yes you must have a strong lock, and you must always lock your back wheel at a pole.
People who don’t lock the back wheel at a pole get stolen at night. Systematically.

Yes in Europe people doing bicycle race it’s something. People respect you.
It’s an hard and tough sport.
In China bicycle it’s just a transportation tools. Now most of them are ebike.

Bicycle is so good for the health. It’s one of the better sport. It’s even better as jogging if you make it long enough.
Your mind your body increase get strong with bicycle.

[Andrew]

Hi, Anyone know of a wholesale market for bicycles in Shanghai. I am looking for accessories for road and mountain bikes.