Chinese Bikes & Trikes: Part 1
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posted: 2017-02-12 | updated: 2020-07-18
I was lucky enough to take a trip to China in 2012, one of my first thoughts was bicycles! I was excited about watching the morning bicycle commute and investigating the three-wheeled cargo bikes. Sadly, cars and trucks are taking over. The image of thousands of bicycle riders commuting en masse each morning is pretty much a thing of the past—but there must some bikes left, right?
Yes, I did see people commuting to work by bike. Some pedaled serenely along separated bike lanes, while others battled huge intersections where 16-lane roads converged into a giant Gordian knot.
Bicycle traffic lights offer a little help when negotiating dense traffic (Wangfujing Street, Beijing)
Bike parking behind Hongqiao Pearl Market (Beijing)
Bikes parked along San Miao Jie Hutong The street was built roughly 800 years ago (Beijing)
No room for cars here, bikes and pedestrians rule (Baiheyuan Hutong, Beijing)
The white lettering on the lower down tube says Feige Pai, meaning Flying Pidgeon Brand, the iconic Chinese bicycle (Harbin)
A lonely bike leaning next to the most amazing red door Who could resist taking a photo (Beijing)
Bike loaded with no less than five gas cylinders! They also make good kickstands (Harbin)
Well-built electric bike. I’m guessing it uses two car batteries. The hefty rack is used as a seat in the closed position and folds out to increase carrying capacity (Harbin)
Wow! I could have had a V8! Except this one uses batteries and fits in the rear wheel of your bike (Harbin)
A sturdy electric bike loaded with packages ready for delivery. Notice the liberal use of yellow tape holding bits together (Harbin)
A fully loaded cargo trike, note the rear tire flattened under the weight (Harbin)
No Car? No Problem. Put your stuff on a trike and enjoy the ride (Tiantan E. Road, Beijing)
It’s a trike. It’s a fruit market. Its both! (behind Hongqiao Pearl Market, Beijing)
Electric trike drivers often rest their feet on the frame (behind Hongqiao Pearl Market, Beijing)
Stacked cargo trikes and bike (Beijing)
Dusty cargo trike with flat tires. The vertical brake lever just behind the handlebar operates the rear, and only, brake (San Miao Jie Hutong, Beijing)
One of the fancier electric trikes sporting a bed the same size as some of the tiny trucks (Harbin)
Unattended beer trike. Now we’re talkin’. Yes, the bottles were full. China produces some excellent beer, so I’m told… (Harbin)
I imagine the cargo trike with the three water bottles was waiting for the rest of a very heavy load (Beijing)
Street cleaning trike. Why use a truck when a trike will do? Note the handmade brooms (Dongjiaomin Alley, Beijing)
One lonely comment — it deserves company. . .
Hi, some of the bikes/trikes are amazing. I’m always astounded by the loads the drivers weave in and out of traffic.