'Bike Riding in China 101'

Beginning of 'Bike Riding in China 101' - Wearing a helmet!

As I rode my bike home the other night, I thought about how my bike riding confidence has increased since I've been in China and I have come to the conclusion that I have passed 'Bike Riding in China 101'. What are the criteria for this challenging course??? Here are my criteria:

Proud laowais with their new bikes.

You have passed 'Bike Riding in China 101' when you can:

• Ride with no helmet (took me a while to master this one!).
• Ride through red lights in a safe manner (safe = looking both ways, riding with hand on bell, avoiding trucks and buses).
• Carry multiple items whilst riding (I demonstrated this when I rode home from Uberfood the other day - laptop, handbag, school books, 1 loaf of bread, 1 bottle of wine, 2 desserts, 1 jar of pesto).
• Ride whilst wearing a giant raincoat.
• Confidently use the bell to warn others that a laowai is coming, move out of the way!
• Ride on both sides of the road with ease.
• Ride wearing a skirt, with one hand on the handles and the other holding the skirt down.
• Overtake people electric scooters, electric bikes and push bikes, as well as pedestrians.
• Carry an umbrella and pedal at the same time.
• Survive at least one minor (anything smaller than a truck or bus) crash.
• Ride home safely after several wines.
• Ride the bike with only one brake working.
• People of China, any others I've forgotten?

Haven't quite mastered the 'dink' (or the 'dub' as the NZers would say)

What happens in the next course? My next goal is to 'dink' someone on the back of my bike. Best to try this sober first, me thinks. Will keep you updated on my progress.

Peak hour at a busy intersection. Obeying the green man!