Hi, I am moving to Kunming in September and would like to know what it is like to cycle in and around the city. I would love to bring my bike over from England but wanted to find out how bike-friendly/nice it is cycling around the city. I know it sounds crazy to bring it all the way from England but I love my bike...
Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Sandy

Bring it. I've cycled in Kunming for a few years, Hanoi before that, and Leeds/Sheffield before coming to Asia. I think Kunming is the best of the bunch. Good wide bike lanes, most traffic is quite slow, and most car drivers are very bike aware.

You just have to get used to going with the flow.

Great biking around the city too. Not so great if you're a roadie. Bring fat tyres...

I agree with the above. Kunming and Yunnan are great for cycling. Without stretching this thread past what it should be, you should just search the forums for one of the other, identically named forum threads. And of course, report when you are here so we can go on a couple of rides together.

I am not sure English cycling can prepare you for Chinese cycling, but it does not take long to get used to the traffic patterns, rhythms, expectations, and culture. If you are up for an adventure and enjoy the chaotic thrill, you will take to it in no time!

come prepared with locks.

If your bike has any sentimental/emotional value, I would leave it in the UK where it will be safe. Bike theft is rampant in Kunming.

I love biking here and parts about. But I also carry my bike up/down 3 flights of stairs when I have to use it.

You can buy a new decent mountain bike here for 1000rmb, so you might want to consider that versus the cost/hassle of bringing your bike. Also, there are many bike shops selling any accessories you would need.

Actually, I'm riding a pretty expensive bike that I more than often leave outside for over a year (locked, yes, but not necessarily always to something). My lock is *very* good though (comes with a warranty: if it breaks I get 500 euro from Abus). I don't know whether it's the luck, the lock or the scratches on my frame, but no one ever seems to have made an attempt at stealing it.

I think shiny frames and shitty locks are a bigger reason for bike theft. I will of course change my mind if mine gets stolen.

Ignore the bs posts above, if you want to cycle in Kunming you will be sharing your lane with anything that moves and in either direction. A expensive bike will be yours for a very, very brief time, despite how good you think the lock is.
Cycling out side of Kunming, not as many loonies on the road but the theft problem is the same high.

I agree with blubbfisk, shiny frames and shitty locks. The best thing to do is make ya bike look like someone can't sell it. Chances are that if you buy a new bike, it will look re-sellable for the first few months. This is the incentive for bike theft - resale value. I have seen a few times (outside North Railway Station) a women asking people if they need a cheap new bicycle (these are people riding pretty crap bikes stopped at the lights). I have a strong suspicion she is part of a bike theft gang...

I have 5 year old XT 10,000RMB (when new) mountain bike that is scratched up, I have put duct tape on the frame and keep it dirty. For almost a year I have been leaving it in all manner of places all over Kunming locked up with a normal bike lock to trees/lamposts etc. Never had anyone try and steal it and I suspect its for 2 reasons - bike thieves don't know their bike gear and they won't be able to easily resell it.

If you have your own MTB that looks a bit old, bring it. Chances are it won't be nicked because resale is impossible. If you buy a new bike here and want to leave it in random places - say goodbye to it every time you lock it to something with a local lock as you possibly won't get it back.

Cycling in Kunming is also really easy (not much in the way of hills) and I find it to be mostly pleasant. You have traffic all over the place from all directions at all times, but once you are used to this its quite easy and you can utilize it for when you want to go the wrong way against traffic too! I get knocked off my bike a LOT more by cars in the west than I do in Asia because drivers are a lot more aware of motorbikes/cyclists here - no cyclist rage.

Oh yeah - the OP didn't say weather they had a road bike or MTB - MTB is the better option here around the city (inconsistent road conditions), however I know some roadies who have some nice routes out of the city on what they say are really good roads. Either is fine but most people (including locals) buy mountain bikes here.