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Tips for safe cycling with kids

Shanghai Expat Forum Index » Hot Topics Forums » Family Life and Kids

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MatildaGirl

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Joined: Nov 05, 2004
Posts: 107

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Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 02:06 PM
Post subject: Tips for safe cycling with kids

Is it safe for kids to cycle around the residential areas? My kids LOVE bike riding.

jackyhan

Talker

Joined: Jan 03, 2004
Posts: 101

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Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 04:24 PM

yup..but be careful.
there is a lot of ppl in residential areas.
i think maybe you can choice some parks in shanghai.coz there is big and rent 2 or 3 ppl bike riding together,it's big,and funny.
like centry park.that's very beautiful...

WendyCollins-Smith

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Joined: Oct 09, 2004
Posts: 62

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Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 06:56 PM

Can the kids ride their bikes to and from school?

jackyhan

Talker

Joined: Jan 03, 2004
Posts: 101

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 07:36 PM

WendyCollins-Smith wrote:

Can the kids ride their bikes to and from school?

sure..they can

nicklar
Lurker
Lurker

Joined: Aug 22, 2004
Posts: 39

Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 08:31 PM

> Can the kids ride their bikes to and from school?

A bit safer on the Pudong side than Puxi. Make sure they wear their helmets. You can buy good ones here at places like Decathalon.

jackyhan

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Joined: Jan 03, 2004
Posts: 101

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Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 08:38 PM

nicklar wrote:

> Can the kids ride their bikes to and from school?

A bit safer on the Pudong side than Puxi. Make sure they wear their helmets. You can buy good ones here at places like Decathalon.

yeah..that's right

Hans

Reacher

Joined: Feb 01, 2004
Posts: 225

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 06, 2004 - 09:53 PM
Post subject: Re: Tips for safe cycling with kids

MatildaGirl wrote:

Is it safe for kids to cycle around the residential areas? My kids LOVE bike riding.

Hi,
not recommended to let your kids cycle to school and back home. very unsafe for young cyclists since most car/ truck/lorry/van drivers behave like total stupid idiots on the streets. don't buy expensive bicycles, they will be stolen within days. Decathlon Sporting Goods has various outlets in Pudong/Puxi and they have good safety clothing for cyclists.

as well, watch out in the residental compounds, they drive like total twats sometimes, they do not care about children.

furthermore, watch them dogs in residental compounds, it has been very common that kids get attacked by them creatures. in case you have a dog problem, call your districts dog catcher, they will take care with great delight.

it has ben know to many cyclists that parks ban the usage of own bikews and they rent out some rotten / unsafe bicyles (well, sort of a moving couch or garden bench) but there is no fun in riding them things around IMHO.

Happy Trails! Hans

MatildaGirl

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Joined: Nov 05, 2004
Posts: 107

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Posted: Nov 07, 2004 - 07:15 AM

I like leisurely riding in large parks, stopping for a picnic lunch and having a laugh with the family. I have experienced hiring faulty bikes in Australia as well. It can be quite annoying, and puts a real dampener on the day.

WendyCollins-Smith

Seeker

Joined: Oct 09, 2004
Posts: 62

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Posted: Nov 09, 2004 - 02:01 PM

My kids were looking forward to riding bikes everywhere. Personally, I thought it would be a good opportunity to become a bit fitter. Are there nice scenic walks?

tnmom

LoopKicker

Joined: Mar 04, 2004
Posts: 852
Location: Shanghai
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Posted: Nov 09, 2004 - 02:42 PM

Quote:

My kids were looking forward to riding bikes everywhere.

There are only a few situations I can think of where this would work

-living in Pudong near Concordia or Dulwich where they could ride to school, Carrefour, etc.
-living out at the Shanghai Raquet Club or Forrest Manor near the American school where they could ride to school
-just letting them ride around the residential complex - but watching out for the fast cars

I'm still nervous when my kids walk places here - heck, I'm nervous crossing the street myself sometimes!

sinned69

SuperStar

Joined: Sep 01, 2004
Posts: 1451
Location: China, Middle East, Asia Pacific
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 09, 2004 - 02:53 PM

i agree with a few of the posts above however as a bike rider here, i would suggest that the roads are not a safe riding place for young cyclists anywhere, esp where adult supervision cannot take place. even in the compunds, a responsible adult shpuld be there just in case. as for parks, there are many parks but they are frequented by many... bear in mind that there are 16+million ppl living here, so parks are one of the few green outdoor places available. Hence the popularity. Once you are here, walk around, use the metro and don't just cocoon yourself in a car with driver as a number of expats do. By doing this your eyes will be opened. nothing here is like any place else...

_________________
qing nin shao deng

MatildaGirl

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Joined: Nov 05, 2004
Posts: 107

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Posted: Nov 09, 2004 - 03:20 PM

tnmom

You seem to know Shanghai quite well. What is Carrefour?

niko

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Joined: Aug 23, 2004
Posts: 602

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Posted: Nov 09, 2004 - 03:33 PM

WendyCollins-Smith wrote:

Can the kids ride their bikes to and from school?

traffic rules say"you can ride bike in the street when you're 14"
so,if your kid is over 14,he/she can ride bike to school

B.Griffin

Lurker

Joined: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 23

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Posted: Nov 10, 2004 - 04:00 PM

Do many children rides their bikes to school?

jackyhan

Talker

Joined: Jan 03, 2004
Posts: 101

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 10, 2004 - 04:40 PM

B.Griffin wrote:

Do many children rides their bikes to school?

um..actually some shanghainese children rides their bike to school.
but there is a lot of ppl in shanghai...
i don't think expat kids can control that things in a short time...
anyway,safe is the most important thing!

B.Griffin

Lurker

Joined: Nov 10, 2004
Posts: 23

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Posted: Nov 10, 2004 - 05:36 PM

JackyHan

I agree, safety first. Does everyone in Shanghai wear bike helmets? In Australia they are compulsory, but sadly many kids still do not wear them.

Hans

Reacher

Joined: Feb 01, 2004
Posts: 225

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 10, 2004 - 05:50 PM

Hi,

no, none of the Chinese natives wears a bicycle helmet, just some of the foreigners cycling over here.

talking about helmets, you should see the helmets they wear while cruising on a scooter / motorcycle. some ridicilous plastic bowls. Safety has a long way to go in China.

happy trails! Hans

niko

Rocker

Joined: Aug 23, 2004
Posts: 602

Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 10, 2004 - 09:55 PM

Hans wrote:

you know why chinese dont wear bicycle helmet in china,1.bike is a very common transportation here 2.chinese are very confident of their bike riding skills 3.cant drive car very fast in most streets,bcs of traffic jam and crowded people 4.too many bikes here,if everyone wears helmet,it looks like a bike race Laughing

tnmom

LoopKicker

Joined: Mar 04, 2004
Posts: 852
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Nov 11, 2004 - 07:44 AM

Quote:

tnmom

You seem to know Shanghai quite well. What is Carrefour?

Not that well, but we just went through the moving/school selection process, so it's fresh in my mind!
Carrefour is the French owned grocery store. There are several in Shanghai. The Gudbei Carrefour is sort of a meeting spot for a lot of the expat kids since many of the compounds have shuttle busses that go there. There are restaurants and shops on the bottom floor.