Beijing is a city known for its bikes. Despite the Chinese obsession with the car, and the city’s smog problem, cycling still seems to work quite well in China’s capital city. Most large streets have cycle paths on the sides, used by regular cyclists and a variety of transport cycles. This blog post documents my impressions of this cycle culture.
The classic
This is the standard Chinese city bicycle. Upright stance, no gears, and a type of hub brake mounted on the opposite side from the chain at the back.
Cycling is not a speedy business in Beijing. So take is slow on a shopper with suspension.
Or use the Beijing bike sharing scheme. The bikes are classic Beijing style. I didn’t manage to work out how to use this as a tourist though!
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The eBike
The major development – Beijing is full of eBikes of various sorts. Some of these have evolved from regular bicycles
The battery fits under the seat in most designs, and is removed and taken indoors to be recharged. Here the battery has been removed:
The most common eBikes look more like scooters but still have pedals
Compact version with small wheels
Transport the whole family
Some do not have pedals, and look more like typical scooters
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Cargo Bicycles
The Beijing classic cargo bicycle has 3 wheels, with the transport part on the back
Some of these have had electric motors added
Even unmotorised you can transport a lot
A more modern battery transport scooter for goods
And one for people, also electric – these offer short-range taxi services. They do not have meters though – barter beforehand
Plants anyone?
This 3 wheel eBike culture leads to some interesting designs
And even ones that look more like cars
(all photos by Jon Worth, except the passenger eBike – credits for that below)
