Bicycles 自行车

Pedal the streets
Word to the wise: Fixing your bike is very easy; look for the roadside repair stalls with the characters 修车。

Not just a means of getting from A to B, nowhere are bicycles as multi-functional as in China. They carry anything from fridges to family members and are recycling vehicles, food stalls and there are even wheelchair bicycles for the disabled.
Bikes are a fantastic medium for exploring the close-knit hutong neighbourhoods, where much of life is shared and out in the open for all to see. The rest of the city is more frenetic but most major streets have wide bicycle lanes that you'll feel pretty safe riding in.

A day rental from one of the stores on Gulou Dongdajie (鼓楼东大街) should set you back around RMB 20. But keep the following in mind:

- People generally don't wear helmets so if you're worried for your head, bring your own.

- You will have to pay around RMB 1 (look out for a sign on the railings) for a space in a biking lot in front of department stores, markets and some subway stops. Pay the attendant when you leave.

- Don't expect someone to give way to you, or go in the 'right' direction for that matter.