All bicycles go to heaven

Of course you hear about how everyone in China rides bicycles everywhere-- but it has to be seen to be believed.

I thought I could get away without a bicycle. 'I'll walk everywhere!' I told myself, indignantly. I caved within a day. The campus is enormous and it takes at least 30 minutes to walk anywhere. Even on bicycle, it takes at least 10 minutes.

Given some large proportion of a at least 1.5 billion people ride bicycles, it follows that there would be a healthy industry built around bicycles. The difference between China and the U.S. is that this industry isn't built around new bicycles, but rather, old bicycles. You can't go more than a mile without seeing a bicycle repair shop. And most people ride old bicycles, or, if you pay a little more, new bicycles that have been professionally made to look old.

Apparently, there is a lot of thievery in China, especially of bicycles. A friend of mine, who bought a rather shitty second-hand bicycle, had his stolen within a matter of days. Granted, it was unlocked, but it was parked in a well-lit place around a lot of people. He thought his bike was too shitty to be stolen, and was very wrong.

Given that everyone rides bicycles, there is also some need for bicycle-pooling, because it's not always convenient to find parking. So, often you will see someone riding on the back of the bicycle. (Every bicycle comes with a little luggage rack above the rear wheel) I hope that one day, I will make it big, and be able to afford a bicycle with a cushion on the back. Then, I'll be able to attract the ladies.

I ended up getting a beauty of a clunker. Pictures to come.