Riding Safe in China - New Rider Guide

[QUOTE=euphonius;58169]Dear Prince666,

Great post! Thanks for the horror story with the happy ending. Couple of questions/comments:

• Are you saying you just keep the camera running at all times when riding?
  
• How big is your memory card and what video settings are you using?
• How many minutes/hours of video can it hold?
• Can you program the camera to write over earlier video so that you always have the most recent footage at hand?
• Or do you have to manage that by hand, i.e., erasing the card before every ride?
• (Or does the US National Security Agency just archive it for you? They seem to archive everything else...)
• Have you posted the video of this recent collision on a video sharing site so we can all have a gander?
• Any chance of using a bit more punctuation in your posts to make them less difficult to read?
• How was the the 2000 rmb in compensation determined, and was it adequate to cover your repairs and medical expenses?

Thanks!
euphonius[/QUOTE


Hi Euphonius


1... camera is on all the time on the bike or in my car

2...I use a 64GB card and i am trying diffance setting but mainly use the 1080 HD

3...From the GoPro website, here is how much you can record on a 32GB card...

1080p30: 4 hours
960p30: 6 hours
720p60: 4 hours
720p30: 6 hours
WVGA 120: 4.5 hours

not sure if i get X2 with a 64GB card
4..... can re-write or save when you get to the end of the card

5...full detail on the GoPro can be found here

http://cbcdn1.gp-static.com/uploads/...G_REVD_WEB.pdf

6...not sure what the NSA can or cant do

7....did not save this one as it was all sorted out by the police sorry

8.... sorry bad eyes

9.... was taken with my bike to a yard a goverment official inspected my bike to make out a report on the cost because he did not know some of the cost of the damaged parts on the CF MOTO bike i had to ring them and find out the price and he added 500 rmb to these cost at this time you could of told him the part cost more ??? i did not and i did not need to ask for medical expenses. The other people paid me in cash as i think they did not have insureance ..



I hope i have answered your question ok


so sfae riding

[QUOTE=prince666;58175]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by euphonius

• Can you program the camera to write over earlier video so that you always have the most recent footage at hand?
• Or do you have to manage that by hand, i.e., erasing the card before every ride?

5...full detail on the GoPro can be found here

http://cbcdn1.gp-static.com/uploads/...G_REVD_WEB.pdf

---

Ah, Looping Mode. That's perfect. It just keeps recording over earlier stuff. Wonder if my Contour helmet camera will do that.

Thanks for the detailed replies. Very useful.

cheers

Wondering if anybody knows the legality of using a GoPro in China? @ Prince666, where did you have the camera mounted that nobody saw it before you presented the evidence?

Awesome story. I am buying one immediately, just a little worried that police may confiscate it if they see it.

[QUOTE=euphonius;58177]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prince666

Ah, Looping Mode. That's perfect. It just keeps recording over earlier stuff. Wonder if my Contour helmet camera will do that.

Thanks for the detailed replies. Very useful.

cheers

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hi euphonius


yes it has a loop mode
Looping Video options inlcude:
OFF
(Default)

Max video
Camera records until memory card is full, then overwrites with a
new video.
5 min video

Camera records for 5 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 5 minute video.

20 min video
Camera records for 20 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 20 minute video.

60 min video
Camera records for 60 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 60 minute video.

120 min video
Camera records for 120 minutes, then begins a new video,
progressively overwriting the previous 120 minute video

Gopro does a full range of contour bases to fit all helmets so i am sure you can get one to fit yours ok

steve

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nuhaus

Wondering if anybody knows the legality of using a GoPro in China? @ Prince666, where did you have the camera mounted that nobody saw it before you presented the evidence?

Awesome story. I am buying one immediately, just a little worried that police may confiscate it if they see it.

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Hi Huhaus

Have my Gopro fitted as in picture but have had it fitted on my helmet as well and why would it not be legal to have one fitted , police in china dont like pepper work so if you have a video of what happen it sorts out what realy happen in mins and it has time and date stamp on the video as well and why would the police confiscate it ?? as long as you dont video a army base ect you should be ok and why should it be only the goverment allowed to video everything that goes on . When the crash happen i left the camera on the bike and the bike was on its side so no one saw it so let all the other people tell the lies and then let them know you have a video ...

When the police found out i had a video it was great news to them as it sort out the matter very easy so the police could go back to the office and have a cup of tea . When in china one has to protect your rights to a fair hearing and for sure the GoPro does this ok but remember it can work agains you if you was in the wrong like speeding but in my case i only let the police watch the part of the video associated with the crash lol in time all car will have cameras fitted its talk in the uk now about cars which are fitted with GPS trackers which the insurance companies can view the data will get a disscount from the insurance companies so it will not be long before disscount will be given to people who fit cameras as well .

As we all kown when riding in china you need to think outside the box well think outside the box and get a GoPro

sorry foregot to say the GoPron dont come with a LCD screen as standard but if you have a Iphone you can down load a App onto your phone which them lets you view the video by WiFi i did not have the app at that time so i needed a laptop to view the video


Attachment 11979


so good luck all be safe riding in china

one more good point is our old mate bikerdoc loves the horn the GoPro recodes sounds as well so in the case of Doc haveing one fitted you will be abel to hear the sound of his horn being used all the time .....

I say this out of jest because the police did ask me did i use my horn when i was getting close to the other bike on the right hand lane to make sure this person was aware of me being there behind him and yes when the video was played back you can hear very clearly me using my horn before the crash so has the Doc tell as all use your horn all the time

steve

Everyone has told me that, in any case, as the foreigner, you are likely to be judged at fault no matter what. I'm trying to decide now between the GoPro2 or 3 and the SupTig, almost 2000rmb difference...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ThePope

Everyone has told me that, in any case, as the foreigner, you are likely to be judged at fault no matter what. I'm trying to decide now between the GoPro2 or 3 and the SupTig, almost 2000rmb difference...

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Video dont lie pope so it will be hard for them to say you are at fault cant help you with what one to buy as i dont know the SupTig but the world best is the GoPro hERO 3 black HD

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ThePope

Everyone has told me that, in any case, as the foreigner, you are likely to be judged at fault no matter what. I'm trying to decide now between the GoPro2 or 3 and the SupTig, almost 2000rmb difference...

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The only reason foreigners are often blamed for accidents is that most Chinese people only drive max 3kms away from their home, so when they have an accident they can easily phone 'witnesses' to come and lay blame on you. If they are over 10kms away from home the outcome is decided by the local police and then unsurprisingly the odds are much more in your favor. Those cameras put the odds in your favor even more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ZMC888

The only reason foreigners are often blamed for accidents is that most Chinese people only drive max 3kms away from their home, so when they have an accident they can easily phone 'witnesses' to come and lay blame on you. If they are over 10kms away from home the outcome is decided by the local police and then unsurprisingly the odds are much more in your favor. Those cameras put the odds in your favor even more.

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Hi Lewis

THat is so true the other bike was very near the place of work and had just come from the look of it from a office across the road from the factory with in 5 mins 10 people all come out the office and the factory and started pointing the finger at me ZMC888 is right generally the police will side with you if you are calm and smile alot lol and the other people are not connected to government official but with the video at hand even god him self could not get out of this one

steve

Glad someone rise the blamed issue. Video cam is must. Best in discreet, as possible easy stolen.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by td_ref

Glad someone rise the blamed issue. Video cam is must. Best in discreet, as possible easy stolen.

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you dont leave it on the bike it unclips in sec or mount it on your crash helmets at $300 + keep it safe at all times

Don't forget to muscle-memory the "ape-pinch", pulling the clutch while intermittently pushing horn and lights, while breaking with the right hand and foot, optionally shaking the head in disbelief.

GoPro is onboard ocassionally, also in order to be able to show friends abroad in what conditions the 250cc needs to operate.
Chinese traffic is unmatched.

It's either
a) Don't look, just drive
b) Look, drive anyway

Don't expect anything at anytime, the overall imagination can't come up with those scenarios anyway.

Best description of local traffic I read was "you have a healthy mix of people who have never driven before interspersed with people who should never have been driving in the first place."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JayDee

Don't forget to muscle-memory the "ape-pinch", pulling the clutch while intermittently pushing horn and lights, while breaking with the right hand and foot, optionally shaking the head in disbelief.

GoPro is onboard ocassionally, also in order to be able to show friends abroad in what conditions the 250cc needs to operate.
Chinese traffic is unmatched.

It's either
a) Don't look, just drive



b) Look, drive anyway

Don't expect anything at anytime, the overall imagination can't come up with those scenarios anyway.

Best description of local traffic I read was "you have a healthy mix of people who have never driven before interspersed with people who should never have been driving in the first place."

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So true love the description of chinese drivers ???

Chinese drive the same in Canada and the US.... in Toronto a male of Chinese decent made a left in front of me at a intersection in which i had the green. He was Canadian born.... but still tried to claim it was fault because i hit him.
The police insurance and court found him at fault for impeding my way. he kept saying "but i hit him" ..... anywhere in the world making a left and you get hit .... the driver making the left. except here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kernalpanx

Chinese drive the same in Canada and the US.... in Toronto a male of Chinese decent made a left in front of me at a intersection in which i had the green. He was Canadian born.... but still tried to claim it was fault because i hit him.
The police insurance and court found him at fault for impeding my way. he kept saying "but i hit him" ..... anywhere in the world making a left and you get hit .... the driver making the left. except here.

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Another way to look at it is that there are only two rules you must obey, both equally important. Don't hit anything, and don't get hit by anything.

Despite all the above, many foreigners do drive in China and, after adapting, some feel reasonably comfortable and confident about it.
Right of way

The concept of right-of-way is quite different in China than in many other countries. "First is Right," or less succinctly, any vehicle with a slight position lead or access to a gap before another vehicle has de-facto right of way to enter that gap. This essentially allows for any driver the habit of cutting right out into the traffic flow forcing the opposing vehicle to either stop or crash. This rule applies to lane changes too that can come at anytime from any angle. Be alert to brake at any moment! If you do not force your way in, you will not ever be allowed to enter the flow of traffic at busy sections

A lot of really good posts here. Thanks to all. I have been riding in Beijing for nearly 3 years. As mentioned in previous posts, the unimaginable happens so expect the worst of other drivers and hopefully be prepared. Ride safely. I have followed a few basic rules that hopefully will help other riders especially new riders. First and foremost I almost always surrender right of way. Assume that all car drivers are out to kill you, so even if you think you own the right of way, give it to the other guy. Always keep your eyes peeled, for debris and holes in the road, missing manhole covers, pedestrians, etc. When I see a pedestrian walking along the road I expect they will step out in front of me and slow down accordingly. The same if I see a dog or a ball on or near the road; expect a child to be following it onto the road. I never assume that anyone is paying attention to traffic lights. So if the light is green at an intersection I automatically assume someone is running the opposing red light. Often making a left turn through opposing traffic without looking. Cars usually turn right onto the road without looking and then slow to almost a crawl while they check to see if they made it through the turn. More recently though I am leery of other motorcycle riders. In the past few months in Beijing electric and motorized bikes, scooters and yes even motorcycle riders seem to be graduating from bicycles to motorized 2 and 3 wheeled rides. Bicycles and pedestrians don't need to know the rules of the road in China. That is even on the test for motorcycle license. So I usually let less experienced riders that pull up beside me, to get in front of me and stay there.

Ride safe drive defensively. It is not always the injuries (although they are bad). The inconvenience of not having your ride to get to work, or of having to replace a mirror or a broken light is bad enough.

All of this talk about the recent beatdown incident in NYC made me remember a relatively mild crash I was involved in in Guangdong right before the national holiday last week.

A car cut right across in front of me without signaling in Zengcheng, Guangzhou as I was travelling about 20k/h. I was in the bike lane and my adrenaline was high because we had found and been hammering an awesome new jump that you can see in my avatar snapshot. Unfortunately I was in the car's blind spot and my horn shorted out on me a few days before and I smacked the car, then slid across the hood onto the ground. I got back on the bike, as I just had a little road rash and bruises (which I wouldn't feel until days later) and the driver and my friend and I all drove away without saying a word. There was nothing wrong with my bike, but I'm sure the car was dented up nicely.

Key lesson learned - this ONE time - I had decided to go out without all of my gear on and smacked a car. I usually always wear it, but I figured since I was just driving about an hour away I didn't want to be bothered with it. I remember leaving the house, and that naked feeling coming over me as I was speeding through the mountains on the way to meet my friend. I had a premonition - seriously, that I would have an accident. And I did. It was surreal.

Never ride without your gear. I needed that reality check because I've been getting too brave. Be safe.

The law of advantages states when driving in china

It is not IF you have a accident but WHEN

I try to wear all my gear when i ride but at times when just to pop around to the shop then i dont yes i am a fool .....

Pretty much every day, the number of times i have close calls is ridiculous. If I was to get involved in road rage, I'd never get anywhere, and spend all of my time in fist fights.

During this last Golden Misery week, on a simple mountain ride ... THREE times in one 20 km stretch of twisties (Black Dragon Pool, for those in Beijing who know), I had oncoming cars/trucks in my lane in blind corners, because they were passing other vehicles leading into the blind corner.

You can't fix stupid. I just accept it as the byproduct of living in China. However, if someone intentionally tries to run me off the road (it happens), they're changing the rules.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou

Pretty much every day, the number of times i have close calls is ridiculous. If I was to get involved in road rage, I'd never get anywhere, and spend all of my time in fist fights.

During this last Golden Misery week, on a simple mountain ride ... THREE times in one 20 km stretch of twisties (Black Dragon Pool, for those in Beijing who know), I had oncoming cars/trucks in my lane in blind corners, because they were passing other vehicles leading into the blind corner.

You can't fix stupid. I just accept it as the byproduct of living in China. However, if someone intentionally tries to run me off the road (it happens), they're changing the rules.

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True, I find that theres literally no policing for the driving policy in China too. I see the police but I never see anyone obeying the traffic signs and laws. Whats up with this ? Whats the point of even having these rules if noone follows them?

I got it all sorted just ordered a new toy ......Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte

Specifications

Weight 1,000 tonnes (1,100 short tons; 980 long tons)
Length 35 m (115 ft) hull

39 m (128 ft) guns forwards
Width 14 m (46 ft)
Height 11 m (36 ft)
Crew 20+, possibly as many as 41
Armor 150–360 mm (5.9–14 in)
Main
armament 2x 280 mm 54.5 SK C/34
Secondary
armament 1x 128 mm KwK 44 L/55
8x 20 mm Flak38
2x 15 mm MG 151/15
Engine 8x Daimler-Benz MB501 20-cylinder marine diesel engines
or 2x MAN V12Z32/44 24-cylinder marine diesel engines
16,000 to 17,000 hp (12,000 to 13,000 kW)
Ground clearance 2 m (79 in)
Operational
range ~120 miles (190 km)
Speed 40 km/h (25 mph)

Attachment 14023

This will scar the shit out of the them when there come round that blind bend again lol

The ideal vehicle is the civilian version of the Marauder as featured in British motoring program Top Gear, with Richard Hammond. Excellent candidate vehicle for dealing with PRC traffic.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marauder_(vehicle)

http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/the...s-17-episode-1

Here in little china (Vietnam) They drive exactly same!! drives me crazy sometimes!!
i can handle those morons who drives straight, but those who just don't want to wait red light turns to green and decide its a good thing to come front of me! some times i just want to teach them a lesson, but as a foreign citizen and driving a bike, I don't want to crash to them as I might hurt my self and even worse, my bike!

been thinking that would it be grazy idea to mount paintball gun in the bike? would this be overkill?? ;)
Attachment 14024

Nothing's overkill in Asia.

I was thinking of installing a little egg support so to be able to throw eggs at anyone anytime, now I'm thinking of golf balls support instead, damn.

Today I didn't slap but pretended to slap and touched the top of the skull of an idiotic E-bike rider after avoiding her in-extremis, situation depicted here:

Attachment 14050

Oh I hate when they do this, and there's one every single time I turn right with little visibility.

I'm afraid I'm gonna end up carrying chains like that around if things keep escalating...

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.46196...58321&pid=15.1

I'm hearing you Braillce... happens here too, way too often... yet if someone else does the same thing, watch out!

As to the oral sex... I would not know the flavour of my sister.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prince666

The law of advantages states when driving in china

It is not IF you have a accident but WHEN

I try to wear all my gear when i ride but at times when just to pop around to the shop then i dont yes i am a fool .....

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That would never be allowed on the roads.. No seat belts..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by prince666

I got it all sorted just ordered a new toy ......Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte

Specifications

Weight 1,000 tonnes (1,100 short tons; 980 long tons)
Length 35 m (115 ft) hull

39 m (128 ft) guns forwards
Width 14 m (46 ft)
Height 11 m (36 ft)
Crew 20+, possibly as many as 41
Armor 150–360 mm (5.9–14 in)
Main
armament 2x 280 mm 54.5 SK C/34
Secondary
armament 1x 128 mm KwK 44 L/55
8x 20 mm Flak38
2x 15 mm MG 151/15
Engine 8x Daimler-Benz MB501 20-cylinder marine diesel engines
or 2x MAN V12Z32/44 24-cylinder marine diesel engines
16,000 to 17,000 hp (12,000 to 13,000 kW)
Ground clearance 2 m (79 in)
Operational
range ~120 miles (190 km)
Speed 40 km/h (25 mph)

Attachment 14023

This will scar the shit out of the them when there come round that blind bend again lol

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Mate.. I get of my bike/car.. grab them by the neck.. abuse the crap out of them and then go on my way.. It's so good at relieving the frustration. The other thing is legally your vehicle hasn't hit them so they'd need to take a civil action against you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by braillce

Nothing's overkill in Asia.

I was thinking of installing a little egg support so to be able to throw eggs at anyone anytime, now I'm thinking of golf balls support instead, damn.

Today I didn't slap but pretended to slap and touched the top of the skull of an idiotic E-bike rider after avoiding her in-extremis, situation depicted here:

Attachment 14050

Oh I hate when they do this, and there's one every single time I turn right with little visibility.

I'm afraid I'm gonna end up carrying chains like that around if things keep escalating...

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.46196...58321&pid=15.1

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jonsims

As to the oral sex... I would not know the flavour of my sister.

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Send her over to me and I let you know