As is clear from some previous posts, I enjoy taking advantage of the wide range of transportation forms available in China--from
horse carts to
high-speed trains. For a light Sunday post here are some of the various cycles I saw in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. It provides a hint of the important role cycles play in Zhuhai and elsewhere in China.
Of course, people could be found with bicycles:
![two young men stranding next to a bicycle in Zhuhai, China](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-4dSIDpLLsAw/T3cIi3JGRRI/AAAAAAAACs4/tC7PhX0RvQo/s280/zhuhai-bike.jpg) |
Most people's bikes are not so sporty. |
![Three women pushing bicycles on a sidewalk in Zhuhai, China.](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nquxhTVeOqw/T5REBBc4emI/AAAAAAAACs4/kxgfP_dJ9Jo/s280/zhuhai-three-bikes.jpg) |
The padded seat above the wheel allows a more comfortable ride for an extra passenger. |
Although some have more compact versions:
![man on a small bike in Zhuhai, China](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mP5_HuX9M8U/T3cJCPV5WLI/AAAAAAAACs4/6HlGxvF9Jao/s280/zhuhai-small-bike.jpg) |
At least he has a helmet. |
Others prefer motorized bikes:
![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mlY9FU-CS2Y/T3cL_gD88dI/AAAAAAAACs4/AE05naSTTnk/s280/zhuhai-motor-bikes.jpg) |
The sitting arrangement of the two riders is common in China. |
And some motorcycles serve as taxis:
![two people riding a motorcycle in Zhuhai, China](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y6_ATcjlWps/T5RENbzOOBI/AAAAAAAACs4/XXpJjO3rmJg/s280/zhuhai-motorcycle-taxi.jpg) |
Although I have often used them elsewhere in China, I did not take a motorcycle taxi in Zhuhai. |
Nonetheless, some people are happy to ride their motor bike alone:
![man riding a motorbike on a bridge in Zhuhai, China](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RCaiSKxMB04/T5REOZ53sqI/AAAAAAAACs4/qH73_FVPv34/s280/zhuhai-motorbike.jpg) |
The photo does not communicate the speed at which he zoomed by on the bridge's sidewalk. |
But riding with another person can mean an extra pedaller:
And a triple-tandem bicycle means two extra pedallers:
![three people riding a triple tandem bicycle and an artistic display of bicycle riders nearby in Zhuhai, China](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l8B2TvOoaYk/T3cJE-xznwI/AAAAAAAACs4/r1XfO2LbEhg/s280/zhuhai-triple-bike.jpg) |
The riders see some nearby inspiration. |
However, sometimes two wheels are not enough. For example, tricycle carts are popular for mobile vendors:
![tricycle carts in China with a items such as sugar cane and jackfruit](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8L1IESrUB2Q/T3cL9GstOnI/AAAAAAAACs4/xaxDuisY8yA/s280/zhuhai-food-tricycles.jpg) |
An excellent way for to bring goods such as sugarcane or jackfruit. |
They are also common for deliverers:
![man in Zhuhai, China pushing a tricycle cart with a mattress on top](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7NS59wwk46U/T5RECZcpntI/AAAAAAAACs4/YkVrqMlLCAY/s280/zhuhai-tricycle-cart.jpg) |
Definitely not fruit |
Tricycles can also be useful as cycle rickshaws (also know as bike taxis):
![two young woman sitting on the back seat of a cycle rickshaw powered by a young man in China](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DlSjd93fQg0/T3cMNEPmKRI/AAAAAAAACs4/V87CNOxHoZg/s280/zhuhai-tricycle-taxi.jpg) |
Not useful if in a rush |
Finally, I even saw a
quadracycle in Zhuhai:
![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n3UZ9_wa4kk/T3cJXoF6HrI/AAAAAAAACs4/L_N0NMtbGN0/s280/zhuhai-car-bike.jpg) |
Looks like the kid gets a work-free ride. |
The tandem bicycles and the quadracycle above could be rented in various locations along the "boardwalk" in Zhuhai--typically just for fun. Except for the quadracycle, I have seen all of these elsewhere in China. And based on a single experience in Beijing, I will say that being the lead rider for a triple-tandem bicycle is a bit trickier that I would have imagined. It is definitely easier to be the stoker.
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