My bike

I have been walking a lot, which I have always done when I've traveled or lived abroad. I prefer walking and seeing local life rather than standing and waiting for buses or metros (not to mention going underground for the metro where you see nothing interesting).

Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but this time, I've found walking tiring for my feet, legs and back. Last week, I walked about 2 1/2 hours a day just to go to the university for my morning Chinese class (25 minutes), then to yoga (50 minutes), back to the university (50 minutes), and then home (25 minutes). The metro doesn't have lines that intersect these areas (so that's not an option), and I haven't tried to figure out the complex bus system yet.

So, because I saw so many people on bikes, I thought that would be a great idea. I talked with my roommates about where to buy one, what kind, etc. and we came up with that it would be safer to get a second-hand bike so it would be less likely to be stolen. However, they didn't know where I could find one, so I asked at school and a woman in the office suggested a place. When I told my roommate what I had found out, she said it was too far (probably 30 minutes away by bus/metro) and that we should be able to find something closer.

So, last Saturday morning while I was at yoga, my roommate scoped out the neighborhood bike shops. When I returned home, she said she didn't find used bike shops, but she found 2 other bike shops where a new simple, one gear bike costs $55 and $80. So, we went to look at them. I liked the more expensive one better, and ended up upgrading the seat (a better seat cost $3!) and the lock (again, for $3), as well as buying a light for night riding. So, for around $90, I got a shiny new bike...it even has a bell (which I use often to alert people I'm coming behind them) and a basket (a wonderful place for my heavy backpack - takes the weight off my shoulders and back). Most people lock their bikes by putting the lock around the wheel (see picture below), but I always try to find something to lock it on to. At night, I bring it up to our floor and lock it in the hallway.

Even though I only ride on the sidewalk (on the major streets, there are two sidewalks; one that is right next to the buildings and is typically covered and then one that is between that and the road), there are still MANY obstacles...scooters (they park on the uncovered sidewalk; see picture below), bikes (see picture), pedestrians, food vendors, etc.





Also, when it rains (summer is typhoon season here, so I'm prepared for many days of rain this summer), some of the sidewalks become really slippery (which I can feel even on my bike). Therefore, I decided to be safe and I bought a helmet (it's actually for a scooter, complete with chin strap, but it seemed like it offered more coverage). Here's a picture of me biking home from yoga this evening. It was raining lightly; I put the green plastic bag over my backpack to keep it dry (and then it's a handy place to carry my helmet and raincoat when I go in somewhere). :)