Travel China InformationChina has the highest number of bicycles 0f any country in the world, with about a quarter of the population owning one (despitemany people ditching them in favour of motorbikes). Few cities have any hills and many have bike lanes, though heavy traffic can be a problem in big, congested metrop-olises such as Guangzhou and Beijing -drivers have a saying in China along the linesof “if they’re on a bike, do what you like.”
Rental shops or booths are commonaround the train stations, where you can rent a set of wheels for ï¿¥5-10 a day. You will need to leave a deposit (200-400RMB) and/or some form of ID, and you’re fully responsible for anything that happens to the bike while it’s in your care, so check brakes, tyre pressure and gearing before renting. Most rental bikes are bog-standard black rattletraps the really deluxe models feature working bells and brakes. There are repair shops all over the places should you need a tyre patched or a chain fixed up (around ï¿¥5).
Note that there’s little in the way of private insurance in China, so if the bike sustains any serious damage it’s up to the parties involved to sort out responsibility and payment on the spot.
To avoid theft, always use a bicycle chain or lock -they’re available everywhere - and in cities, leave your vehicle in one of the ubiquitous designated parking areas, where it will be guarded by an attendant for a few mac.
An alternative to renting is to buy a bike, a sensible option if you’re going to be based anywhere for a while - foreigners don’t need licences, all department stores stock them (from abou ï¿¥500), and demand is so high that there should be little problem reselling the bike when you leave. The cheapest are solid, heavy, unsophisticated machines such as the famous Flying Pigeon brand, though multigeared mountain bikes are becoming very popular - they’re not always as sturdyas they look, however.
You can also take your own bike into China with you; international airlines usually insist that the front wheel is removed, deflated, and strapped to the back, and that everything is thoroughlypackaged. Inside China, airlines, trains and ferries all charge to carry bikes, and the ticking endless bother organizing local transport and accommodation.
Rental shops or booths are commonaround the train stations, where you can rent a set of wheels for ï¿¥5-10 a day. You will need to leave a deposit (200-400RMB) and/or some form of ID, and you’re fully responsible for anything that happens to the bike while it’s in your care, so check brakes, tyre pressure and gearing before renting. Most rental bikes are bog-standard black rattletraps the really deluxe models feature working bells and brakes. There are repair shops all over the places should you need a tyre patched or a chain fixed up (around ï¿¥5).
Note that there’s little in the way of private insurance in China, so if the bike sustains any serious damage it’s up to the parties involved to sort out responsibility and payment on the spot.
To avoid theft, always use a bicycle chain or lock -they’re available everywhere - and in cities, leave your vehicle in one of the ubiquitous designated parking areas, where it will be guarded by an attendant for a few mac.
An alternative to renting is to buy a bike, a sensible option if you’re going to be based anywhere for a while - foreigners don’t need licences, all department stores stock them (from abou ï¿¥500), and demand is so high that there should be little problem reselling the bike when you leave. The cheapest are solid, heavy, unsophisticated machines such as the famous Flying Pigeon brand, though multigeared mountain bikes are becoming very popular - they’re not always as sturdyas they look, however.
You can also take your own bike into China with you; international airlines usually insist that the front wheel is removed, deflated, and strapped to the back, and that everything is thoroughlypackaged. Inside China, airlines, trains and ferries all charge to carry bikes, and the ticking endless bother organizing local transport and accommodation.
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