Transportation in Beijing

Posted by timer (1686 days ago)

Hi:
I have been advised by some friends currently working in Beijing that due to the extensive traffic and parking problems around city, i shouldn't need to buy a car. is that true?

in addition, how are the public transportations in Beijing? and how are they priced?

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Posted by bob (1506 days ago)

Sometimes you can pick up refurbished 50 rmb bikes from the on-street bike repairmen.

I got my bike brand new for rmb250 from the bike shop just south of the east gate of workers stadium. It's fab - had it for a year and no major problems.

Posted by jw (1506 days ago)

Carrefour has bikes for about 100 rmb I was told

Posted by Beijing Resident (1506 days ago)

Beijing has many, many buses and public transport hence the wonderful pollution. Public transport is always an option. Ranging from 1Y to 3Y for most trips so cheap compared to western ideals. There is always overcrowding in the peak times and in the heat now can be very hot and sweaty. The 1.20Y taxis are now looking bad to catch in this weather due to no airconditioning and in a traffic jam is like a sauna. Compare that to the wonderful yellow buses with their clean insides, talkback radio and air con it's a steal at Y2 for a normal trip. If you don't have a medium level of Chinese it can be difficult to get where you are going unless you have your mobile handy or a written address.

The subway is not bad though limited in where it goes. You have to rely on both both and bus and train to get around.

Anyway get out here and see for yourself. Try the transport and if you are unhappy buy a car!

Posted by Beijing Resident (1506 days ago)

Rolf, I think the reason why the brake with their feet is because the bike is crap and they don't have any brakes! No hills in Beijing to worry about fixing the brakes. Otherwise you can run into someone to stop you. There are plenty of people around for this!

In regards to the peddles, go back to the place you bought it. They should have peddles for 1 Yuan. I bought my bike for 130 Yuan and the peddles broke, I took it back to the guy and he replaced them for free (he knew that the peddles would go - it could be a conspiracy to keep the street bike sellers in a job selling peddles!) anyway my bike was stole a few months after that.

Posted by Rolf Streete (1506 days ago)

Don't forget your old two wheeled friend - the bicycle. I cycle to work everyday, one hour there and back. It gets you used to the traffic should you want to drive in the future, and after learning the ropes isn't too dangerous and is a good way of seeing the city. Beijing is as flat as a pancake, but gets a bit hot now in the summer which is more uncomfortable than the winter.
You could pick up a 2nd hand bike for RMB50 or spalsh out on a retro bone shaker for RMB300. You can control your schedule better as you won't be waiting in the horrendous rush hour queues. Self reliancy is advisable in this place.

Posted by Rolf Streete (1506 days ago)

......oh, and it could prevent you getting a beer belly (or female equivalent) that you see on so many bloaters down Sanlitun on the weekend!! ;)

Posted by Rolf Streete (1506 days ago)

Through a friend of a friend, my friend. It wasn't nicked either......just a kind soul wanting to see a foreigner look daft on a dirty old bike with a basket on the front!

Posted by Rolf Streete (1506 days ago)

Do Carrefour sell pedals - I tend to get through a set every month. You get what you pay for I suppose - cheap rubbish from the market at the back of SoHo Newtown area :(

One observation from cycling here......who do many Chinese cyclist still prefer to brake with the soles of their shoes rather than their brakes. Obvious answers apart, there are absolutely loads of people who just refuse to use their brakes and slide towards you (if they're coming down the road the wrong way) or towards the taxi/bus that has just cut them up???