A few examples of accidents on Chinese roads involving foreign riders. If you are a new rider have a read, and try to avoid the same thing from happening to you. If you have had an accident and you think that someone else could learn from what happened to you or a friend, put in a reply.

China Accident example 1

A moderately experienced rider was riding in a small city at night. Unknown to them a small truck had dropped a brick in the road. Unluckily, the rider didn't see the brick and hit it at 50k/mh, rider dropped the bike and wasn't wearing much protection other than a helmet, and suffered moderate cuts and bruises.

China Accident example 2

An experienced rider was riding on his side of the road, minding his own business at approximately 80Km/h. An oncoming car swerved to overtake the car in front. The rider presumed he'd been seen but in fact the overtaking driver had not done, which resulted on a near head-on collision, where the rider ended up in a ditch with broken bones and a few weeks in hospital. The police decided that it was the driver's fault. Even though the motorcyclist did not have a Chinese license, this only effected his level of monetary compensation negatively, and got in no trouble of any kind.

China Accident example 3

An experienced rider was riding on a street which had been previously designated as for pedestrians only, but in reality was used by motorized vehicles. It was raining and the surface was very slick on a fake ornamental marble surface that the rider lost the front end at slow speed, and the rider's leg fell down a metal grate designed for an ornamental fountain, needing 8 stitches in their shin. Road surface was so slick that it was almost impossible to even walk on without falling over.

China Accident example 4

An experienced rider was riding through village at 40-50 km/h when a young girl ran out in front of him. Despite his best efforts he could not avoid her and hit her leg, but not severely. Despite the bike and rider being completely legal including insurance, the rider was forced to pay 10,000 yuan by the local police who just saw a money making opportunity.

China Accident example 5

An inexperienced rider wearing minimal protection was riding a curve, closely following his companion at approximately 60 km/h. There was a large pot-hole on the road, the first rider saw it in time, his following companion did not. His front wheel hit the edge of the pot-hole hard. He fell off head first and the bike landed on top of him severely injuring his kneecap, in fact his kneecap almost became detached from his leg entirely requiring one month in hospital.

China Accident example 6

An experienced rider was riding in a city at approximately 50km/h. There were a set of traffic lights, these were flashing amber, indicating that as he was on the major road he had right of way. However a car driver did not see him, or did not understand the concept of minor/major road and did not stop. This resulted in a collision that resulted in moderate damage to the bike and cuts and bruises. Basic costs were covered by the car driver's insurance.

China Accident example 7

An experienced rider was riding a twisty mountain road and having fun on the switchbacks. However immediately around one corner was a huge mound of sand left there for nearby building work. With an oncoming car the rider was forced into the pile of sand resulting in a few bent bike parts, but no injury to the rider.