Bikes liberating, but still dangerous

I bought a couple of bikes from Carrefour supermarket, 201 RMB each. (about 13 pounds). You could probably add another 100 RMB of locks baskets and a bell, and later, another 50 RMB when I find a more comfy seat to go onto it.

I looked at Giant for bikes (way too fancy) and Decathalon (too far away), and in the end just plumped for these. I bought Forever brand - apparently one of the best. It's a heck of a better ride than the last bike I bought - (bought for 175 RMB in a shop near Fudan University). It's much heavier, but you can tell that all of the parts are of higher quality, and riding it at constant speed requires much less effort.

Cruising around town is just excellent. Especially once you find the little side roads that run parallel to the big roads, where cars are not allowed. Once you know these roads, you can get around quickly with the minimum of hassle. It's lovely taking these roads - just bikes and pedestrians.

Riding to dinner is great too. We headed out to a cantonese 'cha chan teng' restaurant last night, one of the xinwang chain. We passed at least 3 other interesting restaurants on the way. Bikes are great for that.

Safety is kind of a concern mind you. No-one wears bike helmets here. Kinda like the way most people don't wear safety belts in cars. I'm told bike lights are illegal, although I was able to buy a light in Carrefour and have it fitted (of the two i bought, one broke before first use).

Bikes tend to ignore red traffic lights. Cars of course can turn right on reds. So making some road junction crossings can be a little scary. And because taxis can pull over to the kerb side in front of you, one does have to be at least a little aware of what is going on around you.

I'd rather like to wear a helmet when I'm riding. I'm not going fast, but if someone opens a car door in front of my bike, or a taxi pulls in in front of me while I happen to be gazing at an interesting shop (or some eye candy), then I'm aware that i'm going to fly off the front of my bike and bang my head on something.

I think when I was young there was a time when bike helmets weren't quite the norm. Now I think they're fairly standard in the UK. I'm told that in Holland, where they ride every day, no-one wears them. But, I think in Shanghai I ought to.

I brought one over from the UK with me, but it seems to have gone missing. Curious, but unfortunate. I think i'll have to head to one of the specialist bike shops - Giant or Bohdi Bikes to get one. They have something in Carrefour, but they're more primitive - they look a little like hollowed out bowling balls.

This brings me to a major cultural difference I am ever so aware of here - perception of safety. People tell me that I don't need to wear a safety belt in the back of a car (you can't in the taxis here, they're all covered up). Taxi drivers assure me that I don't need to worry when I tell them not to drive at breakneck speed at night. Friends tell me that I needn't worry about taxis/bikes, because Shanghai traffic is very safe.

I'm not sure if it's because back in the UK, we're more paranoid about accidents. After all, many more things are guaranteed in the UK - you're never really going to go hungry. Maybe with less social security here, people have more to worry about than getting into a car accident. This said though, people are still conscious of dangers - a friend asked me if she had to worry about flying to London - worrying about the terrorist risk. I laughed - citing that whilst Shanghai doesn't have terrorists, it has some pretty wild driving habits.

Or maybe it's a lack of awareness. It seems few are aware of how Shanghai compares to other cities in terms of say auto deaths per capita. I'd love to find out... but then maybe my blog will be shut down afterwards...