No, this is not about that terrible reality show on MTV.

I've finally gotten a bike here in Kunming, but I haven't previously done a lot of cycling in Chinese cities.

It seems to me that people have very little regard for the fact that bike lanes are, well, BIKE lanes.

The most scary thing is that people will step right into the bike lanes without looking for oncoming traffic.

So, if I manage to hit somebody when I'm riding my bike and they step into my path, it would be nice to know who would be considered at fault--legally and/or from the prevailing social attitude.

Any thoughts? Any other good cycling advice, re: not dying?

I'm not sure about the legal aspects of bike accidents (knock on wood), but in terms of safety, sadly the best option is to forgo the bike lanes for riding in the road with cars. Wearing a helmet is a good idea too.

Try not to get in the habit of getting an early jump on traffic lights when they turn from red to green - too many Kunming drivers run red lights.

Also, many drivers here don't indicate or signal before turning, don't assume that a car won't turn just because its lights aren't blinking.

Ultimately, if you do bike in this city, even carefully, there is a rather high chance of accidents or near-accidents... losing one's focus or alertness for even a second can make the difference between avoiding an accident and sustaining serious injuries or worse. Good luck!

I would second that comment about using the car lanes and not the bike lanes. Also whether in a bike or car lane, always ride in the middle of the lane, so that no-one has room to overtake you and squeeze you into the kerb.

One of the things I've found most helpful is never to look at anyone, or at least make it appear you're not looking. If people think you've seen them, they'll take it as their right to do whatever they like. If they think you haven't seen them, they'll be careful. A pair of shades are ideal for this.

I find riding a bit faster than everyone else helps, as being overtaken is one of the biggest dangers. Cars and e-bikes overtake and then cut in too soon, especially if they want to turn right just in front of you.

If it's raining stay off the footpaths - they're absolutely treacherous. It's like riding on slime.

If you ride confidently and make it look like you own the road, other people will usually give way to you. Of course, you only need to get it wrong once...!!

Safe riding!

Yep, I suppose that is good advice...it just seems to freakin' mafan to ride in the road because every other car that goes past honks at you (I realize it's not malevolent honking, just letting you know they're there, but it's annoying nevertheless).

Maybe I can salvage a horn off one of the larger electric scooters and rig it up to my handlebars...

I love the phrase "malevolent honking" - I'll definitely be using it as often as I can :-)

I always though that a spare police siren, used malevolently, would be a good idea.

A friend of mine brought an antique "beluga" horn from the US and put it in his car... that really got peoples attention lol!

Yesterday I was on my way home from work when I rode up to a truck who indicated that he would turn left. I made my way up to the right, and then the truck suddenly turned right as well and I almost crashed right into the s.o.b.

Just be careful in traffics here. I have heard however that according to the local laws, the larger vehicle is always responsible if an accident occur. So in an accident with a car and a bike, the guy in the car has to take the responsibility unless there were any special circumstances.

^Sorry, Swedish guy, do you mean larger vehicle is always responsible, so car would be responsible, or smaller vehicle is always responsible so bike has to take responsibility?

Yeah, similar thing as you described with the truck has happened to me. It's almost nice to hear that he was actually USING his turn signals, even if he was using them in a way that was likely to maim you.

Disregard the first part of my previous post. I misread your post.