Being Taken for a Ride

　　The image of China as a nation defined by a blur ofbicycle wheels, has long been embedded in the psycheof visitors and expats. Despite the country now being thelargest consumer of vehicles, and bicycles fading brieflyfrom city streets, choking traffic jams have ironicallyforced the great cycle comeback.

　　It’s far easier dodging gridlock on two wheels, andmore adventurous, too. Besides, there is the supposedhealth advantage, admittedly much disputed consideringthe often poor air quality.

　　While cycling is always great in summer, it can be away to ignite your inner warmth in winter and build up arosy glow on the way to your destination. Riding to workcan do wonders for your attitude.

　　Get on your bike on an early Beijing morning, warmlywrapped, route memorized, ready to rock and roll. AGiant-24 inch spoke-wheeled wonder is just the thingto get you going – and Giant here refers to apopular brand, not the size of the bike. If youare tall, you are going to look like a monkey upa tree hunched over the frame, and over thefirst few blocks those who haven’t cycled for awhile could be in for a wobbly affair.

　　At the first red traffic light you squeeze thebrakes. Nothing happens. You keep squeezingand suddenly they take, almost ejecting youfrom the saddle. You look around sheepishlyand watch as others come crunching to a stopin various degrees of elegance. The man nextto you has a cigarette in his gloved right handand the look of a serial killer. On the other side,a depressed looking woman wearing an Eskimotype anorak and face mask, berates heryoung daughter, who is cuddled up in the yellowplastic seat on the back carrier. You mayget a feeling of claustrophobia in amongst allthe chains, pedals, saddles and spokes of whatnow seems like a sea of cycles around you.The traffic lights turn green and you peddlefor all you are worth. Cars hoot and sweep selfishlyinto the cycle lanes, ostensibly to avoidthe choking traffic jams, but creating more oftheir own. Suck in a lungful of prime qualitycarbon monoxide exhaust fumes and peerahead through reddening eyes. What a joy it is to get someexercise outside. You need eyes in the front and back ofyour head - dodging potholes, swerving for pedestriansand maintaining your balance. Legs begin to cramp fastas a bus shaves your arm, either through pinpoint drivingskills or lack of peripheral vision.

　　Sometimes, it will be necessary to use your feet on theground to push yourself along, like a Fred Flintstone imitation.In the interest of saving time, traffic rules are ignoredand eye contact is never made - in this way cyclists, and allroad users for that matter, are absolved of blame should anaccident happen.

　　Your 40-minute trip will be over in a flash, no doubthelped along by the flowing slipstream of other cyclists.You can now boast of being a “real” Beijinger, havingbraved the streets, and very definitely, being taken for aride.