Quote Originally Posted by ZMC888 View Post
My attitude is after 8 years here, I always save the motorcycle for the long rides out of town that help me unwind, especially if I'd be riding a motorcycle less than 4km, bicycles keep you fit. However we all live in different size cities where riding a bicycle can be impractical due to the distances involved.
ZMC888 makes a tremendously good point here. Those of us who attempt to use a motorcycle for daily transportation in these Chinese megacities are at far far greater risk of getting slaboed (Naim, your handle is now a verb!) than those of us who use it only to get OUT of town. I'm in my 50s and live in a giant city of more than 20 million souls, but I rarely if ever venture out into the city on my motorbike. Too much stress, too much risk, and, above all, far too little enjoyment. Unless it's unreasonably far, like more than 25km, I'll get there by bicycle. In fact, I pride myself on my ability to get pretty much anywhere in Shanghai quickly and efficiently and "healthfully" on a pushbike. That's not to say I haven't had accidents on the bicycle; I've had two very serious ones, one under the wheels of a taxi and another caused 100% by an aggressive motorcyclist.

But I'll keep using the bicycle as my primary transport, backed up by buses and the awesome metro and, once in a very blue moon, a taxi. Personal preference, and won't work in all cities, especially those with lots of hills or frigid winters, but in Shanghai (and Beijing, though less so due to the huge distances and the takeover of bicycle paths by cars), bicycling is awesome.

cheers