One of the most frustrating aspects of China is traveling on a bicycle. Bicycles are far more common in China than they are back home, to the extent that we see equal amounts of bicycles on the street as we see cars. Going into this trip, I was looking forward to the opportunity to ride my bicycle around the streets of Beijing. Once I arrived, I learned how dangerous it actually is to ride a bicycle here. Firstly, the bicycles are of terrible quality. I have about $20 American dollars for my bike, and have already spent about $15 for repairs in the past three weeks. You can literally feel the bike shaking, making strange noises, and falling apart as you ride. Every time I pedal, I wonder to myself if the bike will fall apart. Secondly, the traffic is hectic. The thought of crossing an intersection fills me with a great deal of dread. Despite the fact that one lane will have the green light, the other lanes simply don’t seem to care. I have come within inches of getting hit by cars, as have many others on this trip. The effect of both these factors together is terrifying. Imagine crossing an intersection, hearing cars honk their horns, terrified that your back wheel will fall off. It is easily my least favorite experience.

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