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Shuan's question on riding bike in Shanghai:
Hello again,
First I would like to acknowledge your warm welcome,
second.. how do I ask a question.. is there any special place where I ask, or do I send you an email or what?Any way, I'll post my question here considering you can edit posts and what not (the above is a question in it self :P ^_^)
I just got a bycicle, a standard $500 rmb one.. today I rid to work and back! The thing is I don't know the laws with the bycicle or in shanghai.. Every body just seems to do what ever.. ie., some people (well alot..) go through red lights, some people go through any light.. most people ride on what looks to be the wrong side of the road (with cars comming towards them, etc.) as a foreigner.. what do I do?
Every body just seems to ride any where on the road! I find this quite frightening coming from New Zealand.
A side note: One thing I dont get is the lights.. if it says you can walk.. why do cars still drive thru? I heard about some thing to do with "right way" or some thing but am not too sure..
I think you should write a cycling guide for tourists in shanghai.. Do I need to get a bike lisence? What places can I park my bike at.. etc. Do I have to pay for parking? Should I lock my bike up? Should I get lights? Bells to honk at people in the way? Do you need a helmet? What happens if I get a flat tire and get stranded some where? Do I have to ride in designated areas? If so.. where are these areas? Can I ride on the walkways.. is it allowed? What are some ways to be fined from the police? etc.
This would help alot of expats/foreigners who consider using a bike to get around shanghai or china in general.. As I don't think there is an extension guide for this.. just little pieces of info.
Posted by: Shaun on September 6, 2006 08:37 PM
This is a very good topic to discuss. Here is my Personal Guide for Bike Riders in Shanghai.
What You Need to Ride a Bike in Shanghai?
To ride a bike in Shanghai, you do NOT need a license (or a certificate to demonstrate you can ride a bike). And you can ride at any roads that allows riding. There is no classification the skill of your riding.
Typically, little boys and little girls learn to ride bikes when they are young - for me, I learnt when I was 14. Then when their parents feel they can safely ride a bike, they go to the road, and then they keep riding on the "real road". Unlike driving a car, riding a bike does not any license.
The bike does need a license. You get it after you buy your bike. They have a steel stamp that put a unique ID onto your bike on three major parts of the bike, and give you a certificate You pay for this service, and most bike dealers provide this service.
This was mainly for the safety of the bike in case someone steal it. However, due to more and more bike stealing cases, and cheaper and cheaper a bike is (compared to people's income), many people don't have that number on the bike. For example, my second bike is still brand new - with no numbers.
This is not allowed, but no one in this city really checks the number.
Tax?
Two years ago, bike owners need to pay for 8 RMB (I remember, correct me if it is wrong) annual taxi for the government. They will give a stamp to the bike owner's booklet and a badge to you so you can put it to your key rings. Every year, some people will randomly stop people and check for the round badge. if you don't have the badge, they ask you to pay the 7 RMB tax, and give you the badge.
This tax was cancelled about two years ago, since the tax collected do not cover the cost of the 4000 people team to collect the tax. In 2004, 7 out of 12 provinces with bike tax cancelled this kind of tax.
So relax! There is no bike tax in Shanghai.
Lights
People get confused about whether bikes should follow the traffic lights.
Obviously, you should. In many cross road, there are special sign designed for bicycles (so they have standard lights for cars, for pedestrians, and for bikes).
Since everyone can ride a bike without receiving the right training and education, many people still believes that red lights are still for cars only, and bikes don't need to follow traffic lights. This is dangerous misunderstanding, but when you look at the current traffic situation, you will feel that the saying is reasonable since many people keep riding at red lights.
Green Lights for Pedestrians or Bike?
The other confusing situation for bike riders and pedestrians are, when there are green lights for bikes or pedestrians, cars still go across.
This is because in China, cars are still allowed to make right turn when there is red lights (unless there are special red arrow pointing right). Although the traffic rule is, cars need to stop to yield for pedestrians, and pass when it is safe to do so, the general practice is, cars have the right to turn, and pedestrians need to yield for cars.
Where to Park
Along the road, there are bike parking lots - you will see a lot of bikes there. Some places have bike parking sign, but no sign does not mean you cannot park.
Helmet?
It is important to have helmet to ride bike, but in Shanghai, helmet is not something related to bike. People never take helmet. This does not mean you don't need to do that.
Need Help?
What happens if you get a flat tire and get stranded somewhere? There are some bike shops along the road. Just walk the bike. Typically, along the road with many bikes, chances are there will be some shops.
Area to ride
Some streets do not allow bike. Just follow the sign - they have a forbidden sign - a circle with a bike stroked. For other areas, it is OK to ride. It is not OK to ride on walkways, unless with special sign, but unfortunately, it is a general practice. To violate this rule, you will be fined by policeman.
Happy and Safe Riding in Shanghai!
Posted by Jian Shuo Wang at September 21, 2006 9:59 PM
Copyright: You are free to redistribute this work, as long as you keep this disclaimer
and this link: http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20060921_guide_for_bike_riders_in_shanghai.htm
Dear Mr Wang,
Where is the closest beach from Shangahi?
Regards
Lee
thank Dear jian shuo !
I am wangyong's student at wygglabs. finding work at shanghai now.
but find no power send email .so I want come to the company.
may be I need a bike now. so I can ride to any where at shanghai.
Hi,
Thanks for the useful information on your website.
We’re flying in to Pudong airport from London this Saturday; we’ll take a connection flight from Hongqiao airport.
I would like to find out if there is a Luggage Deposit in Hong Qiao airport? Also, how long does the airport shuttle bus take to go to Hongqiao from Pudong airport?
Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Lin
maybe riding bike in Beijing,Nanjing or any other city in China is a little bit easier
Posted by: guncn on September 22, 2006 12:25 AMOne hour shuttle bus #1 from Shanghai Pudong Airport to Hongqiao.
They have luggage desposit in Hongqiao. Checkout my Hongqiao airport webpage by searching Shanghai Hong Qiao airport in Google.
Posted by: Jian Shuo Wang (external link) on September 22, 2006 12:38 AMit sounds very chaotic. I like to ride a bike down the street facing oncoming traffic so I can see what is coming. I don't like riding on the side in the direction traffic is flowing because I am unable to see what is coming up behind me unless I continuously look back.
they should have laws like in Denmark and give bicyclists the right of way. also make separate bike trails throughout the city.
Posted by: Shrek7 on September 22, 2006 11:08 AMI think the best place to ride a bicycle in shanghai is nearby century park. There are less people, less cars and fresh air. In Puxi, it is terrible for forenger;s
Posted by: lang (external link) on September 22, 2006 2:21 PMIt's illegal to ride the bike against traffic in the US. In most cases, cyclists need to follow the same rules as drivers.
Posted by: Dave G. on September 22, 2006 2:51 PMhi wang,
i'm coming to shanghai soon. the first place where i sleep is lane 29 in Ling Ling road.
well, i can't find Lane 29 in any map roght now. i see u have a great map but in chinese ...
can u help me and show me where lane 29 is?
thank u
nicola
Shrek7, I wonder how you know the rules in Denmark, but anyhow, you are welcome to send me your comments on the Danish rules compared to chinese on carstensemail@yahoo.com :-) Are you danish ?
Hi Wang, it's me again, lol
or rather ni hao.
It's been nearly a month now since I got my bike (my first one broke 3 days after I brought it, the brand was "forever", the one I have now is much better and much nicer).. and I have learnt some things here and there which I'm quite happy to say... Let me add some things for people who rish to ride a bycicle in Shanghai:
Where Can You Buy a Bike?
Most supermarkets carry a small to good size stock of cheap - average priced bikes. Just go to any large supermarket and look for bikes.. but remember that these aren't top quality bycicles you might buy some where like in europe, they are cheap.. so this means no extreme bike manuevers.. and crazy riding techniques.. otherwise you'll find that you'll need a new bike within the next few days..
How Much For A Decent Bike
For a nice decent (as in, one that will last at least a month) bike you should be able to get one for about 400RMB - 600RMB
-----
Riding On The Streets (This is from my own experience from riding over the past month in Shanghai..)
You can pretty much ride on any side of the road and do any thing as long as you are careful ofcourse..
Make sure to always keep an eye on, pretty much any thing that could be a possible danger.. like people, other cyclists and vehicles.
Also remember that there are many other bikers on alot of the roads and many people pass you from time to time.. They (the passers) will beep there horn to let you know that they are comming up so it's best not to stay in there way (stay on the right side, so they can pass on the left).. well, you'll be hearing the horn going off all the time, it's normal compared to western countries.
Traffic Lights
Well if your from a western country like usa or europe you'll know that red means stop (for all vehicles, including bikes) and green means go.. So it's best to follow this rule here in Shanghai.. all though you WILL see ALOT of people go when it's clear (or when it's not clear..) even if the light is red. It's better to be safe than sorry, this is a well known fact. So be worried if you're the only one stopping at red lights every now and then.. =)
The Roads
The roads can be pretty chaotic at times but it's best to just stay in the biking lanes (if any), maintain a nice traveling speed, stay out of the way of other bikers, and follow the traffic lights.. You have to be quite on mark with your bike handling skills because alot of people cut in front of you with out warning, or pull out from no where.. so just use your brain and keep an eye on any thing thats moves ^^.
Bike Parking
You can pretty much put your bike any where outside, just make sure to lock it up using a U lock (that locks the wheel) and a wrap lock to use for a pole or some thing. A lot of places you can park your bike and you pay "the bike watcher" some thing like $1RMB - $3RMB and this person will watch your bike (along with all the other bikes) for you.
You can easily know where to put your bike when you see alot of bikes parked.. lol.. I find it best to lock a wheel and also to lock the bike to a pole, so if some one tries to carry the bike away.. well they can't because the bike is locked to some fixed object..
Most residential areas have a parking area just for bikes (underground, out the back etc.).
When you buy a bike a suggest you also get a wheel lock and a pole/wrap lock
you should also get a bell/horn if you don't already have one attached.. don't be afraid to use it, you'll notice that every person (well any person that has a bell/horn) honks and toots every minute.. to let people in the way know that some one wants/intends to pass them.
If you plan on riding at night time I strongly suggest you get some bike lights for obvious reasons.
As for the helmet.. it's up to you, as I said it's better to be safe than sorry, so invest in a good sturdy helmet. It's not illegal to no use a helmet in Shanghai (as far as I know), you will see alot of people with out a helmet. This is normal.
Rain and Wet Conditions
You should also get a rain coat, these are very good raincoats, you can see on wet days that just about every person uses them (ofcourse). They cover pretty much all of your body and what not. If you're biking and all of a sudden it starts raining and you didn't brink your coat, you can usually find some one selling them on the side of the road.. which is good =D
When it is wet you need to be VERY careful on the road.. do not travel fast because it is very easy to slip and fall and I tell you this is not a good experience and can even cause serious injury (or death).. apart from that.. you should also think about getting a bike with mud guards because you don't want to have mud up your back after riding on the roads on a wet day..
Bicycle Repair Shops
These little sized shops can be found all over the place, you can identify them with there bike parts hanging around the shop, etc. I think it's quite common to find at least a few of these shops along 1 long road. They are happy to assist you if you have any problems with your bike =)
You'll find biking in Shanghai quite fun and convieniant.. especially in september when the weather is really great. I tell you, it is very convieniant for me, I bike to uni, I bike around, the nice breeze is awesome, I like it alot.
Yeah, happy biking...
So be worried if you're the only one stopping at red lights every now and then.. =)
should be
So _dont'_ be worried if you're the only one stopping at red lights every now and then.. =)
-peace
Posted by: Shaun on September 23, 2006 11:54 AMhello there...
one more precautionary measures for bikers.... "ONCE YOU PARKED YOUR BICYCLES EVERYWHERE IN SHANGHAI, MAKE SURE YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO LOCK IT".... or, BEST.. never leave it out of your sight!!!!!!
many I've known,working there or even strolling around new places/new sights have LOST their precious bicycles to locales!!!!... once, my husband officemate lost his too, even caught the culprit in a security camera!! along their building surveillance camera, but nonetheless, the culprit never captured by Shanghai Police..(FYI: the culprit was a food delivery boy on their office building)
then last Sunday, 9/23/06, my husband together w/his friends strolling around the new xiangyang market at the Science & Technology side... tehy parkec, locked & highly security their bicycyles but sad to say.. it was all GONE!!!!...
sad story?? huh?!?!
SO, BEWARE & BE CAREFUL w/ your BICYCLES!!!! specially, being bought from Decathlon or Giant.. the culprit knows what to get!!!!!
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Hi there, i agree that biking in Puxi can be hazardous, but Pudong with its wide and open roads is great for biking. I live close to Zhangjiang and try to get out every weekend. The people in the villages are very friendly and there's plenty to see. I've been taking pictures of the rapid changes in the Pudong countryside and usually track where I've been on Google Earth (even though many new roads haven't been updated yet). http://vansteenblogen.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!
Ni hao Jian Shuo-
I want to add my thanks to the many others who have appreciated your words and photos. My family and I will be moving to Shanghai (Pudong) in August and we love to cycle (mountain biking, commuting, trips, etc.) It was great to see your photos of Pudong bike lanes and to hear about your rides. Since things seem to change so quickly in Shanghai, and in Pudong in particular, I'm interested in any new photos of your cycling adventures. We'll be living near the Pudong campus of Shanghai American School, so I'm especially curious what that area is like...
Xie xie!
Jon
"SO, BEWARE & BE CAREFUL w/ your BICYCLES!!!! specially, being bought from Decathlon or Giant.. the culprit knows what to get!!!!!"
When I arrived at the Pacific Computer City, I realised there is no safe place to park my bike. So I found a car parking place, and said to the guard: I pay you 10 rmb, please help me watch it.
I got the invoice from him, and he brought my bike into his ROOM! After 3 hours of shopping, it was totally dark, and my bike was so safe, standing in the guard's room....
The best bicycle shop I know in Shanghai is the one which located in the No.1011 Zao Zhung Rd(枣庄路1011号).Tel:021-50701326 They can speak English.This shop is very famous for service the foreigns. Best service and very kind I have seen!
Posted by: Adam on July 7, 2007 12:20 PMThe best bicycle shop I know in Shanghai is the one which located in the No.1011 Zao Zhung Rd(枣庄路1011号).Tel:021-50701326 They can speak English.This shop is very famous for service the foreigns. Best service and very kind I have seen!
Posted by: Adam on July 7, 2007 12:20 PMThe best bicycle shop I know in Shanghai is the one which located in the No.1011 Zao Zhung Rd(枣庄路1011号).Tel:021-50701326 They can speak English.This shop is very famous for service the foreigns. Best service and very kind I have seen!
Posted by: Adam on July 7, 2007 12:20 PMI understand that many main roads in Shanghai don't allow bicycles. I just bought one, and want to use it to ride around the city, but I would like to know which major roads (besides the obvious ones, like Nanjing Lu, Beijing Lu, Yan'an Lu, Huaihai Lu) do NOT allow bicycles. That way, I'm not expecting to be able to ride on a road only to find it closed to bicycles.
A simple list of NO BICYCLE roads will be sufficient.
Thanks so much!
Peter
Posted by: Peter on October 15, 2007 12:04 PM1. i'm thinking of getting a bicycle here. i stay in puxi. can i cycle over to pudong? which route?
2. i heard that there are nice beach area at pudong (maybe towards the edge of pudong). do u know where?
The Crash Test Dummy Video Blog now carries a cycling map of Shanghai's Puxi side showing which roads are blocked for cyclists and which make the best crosstown routes. This is a work in progress - cyclists please add a comment at www.shanghaicrashtest.com if you know of any we have missed.
Posted by: Shanghai Crash Test Dummy (external link) on April 5, 2008 3:14 PM