China Guide
Getting around
Cycling
China has the highest number of bicycles of any country in the world, with about a quarter of the population owning one (despite a rising trend towards mopeds, motorbikes and cars). Few cities have any hills and some have bike lanes, though many of the bigger cities are in the process of banning bicycles from main roads in order to free them up for cars.
Rental shops or booths are common around train stations, where you can rent a set of wheels for ¥5–10 a day. Most rentals are bog-standard black rattletraps – the really de luxe models feature working bells and brakes. There are repair shops all over the place should you need a tyre patched or a chain fixed up (around ¥2). In cities, leave your vehicle in one of the ubiquitous designated parking areas, where it will be guarded by an attendant for a few yuan.
An alternative to renting is to buy a bike. All department stores sell them: a heavy, unsophisticated machine will only set you back about ¥200; whereas a mountain bike will be upwards of ¥500. You can also bring your own bike into China. Airlines, trains and ferries all charge to carry bikes, and the ticketing and accompanying paperwork can be baffling. Where possible, it's easier to stick to long-distance buses and stow it for free on the roof, no questions asked. Another option is to see China on a specialized bike tour such as those offered by Bike China ( 
www.bikechina.com ) or Cycle China ( www.cyclechina.com ); though by no means cheap, these can be an excellent start to a longer stay in China. For adventurous mountain biking, the best place to head is Yunnan, in the southwest; challenging tours are offered by Haiwei Trails ( www.haiweitrails.com ).