Five Reasons to Bike to Work (and How to Do it Safely)

The weather is cooling down, the pollution has been suspiciously low, and Beijing's bike lanes have been calling your name. If you’ve been at all tempted to ditch your subway card or Didi drivers this year, take this pleasant fall weather as an excuse to break out of that sweaty subway compartment or smoke-filled cab and start pushing those pedals! Here are five reasons why you should.

1. Fitting in your cardio

It’s not easy to make it to the gym regularly for your doctor-prescribed weekly dose of 150 minutes of moderate exercise. Spend 30 minutes a day biking to work, however, and you’ll clock that while everyone else stares at their phone in transit. You’ll get benefits like improving your heart health, lowering your risk of disease, and many more.

2. Getting some sun

We know your Chinese friends and colleagues are used to covering up in the sunshine, but this is one area where ignoring the “when in Rome ethos” may be beneficial. Getting 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight from 10 am to 3 pm on your arms, legs, and abdomen every day helps you get your daily dose of vitamin D. Still working on your six pack and prefer to arrive at work fully-clothed? Don’t necessarily get on your bike between those hours? Rest assured that choosing to spend your commute in daylight rather than underground will help get you that much closer to your recommended daily amount, allowing you to improve your bone health and enjoy myriad other health benefits. 

3. Saving money

Sure, you might have to shell out a couple hundred RMB on a good set of wheels. But, once you’ve spent that initial dough, the cost of maintaining your bike is very low.  Many bike shops and street-side repairmen will pump up your wheels for free if you ask nicely. So, save your cab fare or public transit money and buy yourself something pretty. 

4. Getting to know the city

It’s possible to live in Beijing for years and years without really getting to know it. If you’re going underground from point A to point B, or if you’re sitting in a cab staring at your phone as you commute, you won’t be experiencing the city as deeply as you would if you were making your way through it on two wheels. Are there people who drive in the bike lanes? Sure. Do you have to navigate against share bike users biking the wrong way down the road? Always. But you’re also getting lost in hutong streets, smelling the (hopefully) fresh air, and interacting with the city you call home. Plus, you never know when you’ll happen across an amazing dumpling restaurant that you would have otherwise missed!

5. Beat the traffic

There’s just no way around it: Beijing traffic is brutal. Except that there is a way around it when you’re on a skinny bicycle, for which there is always space on the bike lane. Whizz past idling cars (with your pollution mask on, of course) as they wait for their turn to squeeze past. You may even find that biking at rush hour will get you home faster than a car could!

Are you convinced that biking to work is the way to go? Good for you! You’re on the road to a healthier you. While you’re out there living the dream, however, it’s a good idea to follow a few road safety precautions to prevent injuries.

Wear a helmet

This is absolutely essential. It’s better to have a bit of hat hair in the mornings than to risk hitting your head. “The most severe trauma you can get from bicycle riding is head injuries, and that’s why it’s so important to wear a helmet,” says Dr. Erik Stale of BJU’s Department of Orthopedics. “Head injuries are the ones that are the most likely to cause permanent damage, so wearing your helmet should be your number-one priority when you’re bicycling.” While you’re shopping for a protective and well-fitting helmet, make sure you also pick up safety items like lights and reflectors for riding in the dark. 

Use your bell

If you’re from the West, you might feel that honking at others is an aggressive act. In China, however, it’s just a way of alerting other road users to your presence. “Because there is so much traffic, pedestrians, cars, and buses, you have to make yourself heard,” says Dr. Stale. “People in China are very attentive to bicycle bells – they’re used to it.” Not sure what the person in front of you is doing? Give them a honk to remind them to ride safely. 

Keep your bike in good repair

You never know when you’re going to have to brake to avoid a pedestrian or another cyclist in your lane. That’s why it’s a good idea to get your bike checked regularly to ensure the brakes and tires are in good working order. You never know when you’ll really need them! 

Keep a safe distance from other road users

This includes parked cars! Passengers often open doors without warning. This can block your path or cause you to swerve dangerously. Other cyclists can also be unpredictable, so don’t assume people’s speed or direction will remain constant as you ride near them.

Be aware of your surroundings

Sometimes, in Beijing, it feels as though you can go as slowly as you please and you’ll still have issues on the roads. While the traffic rules here may be similar to those back home, the way they are followed can be very different. “Don’t expect people to follow the traffic rules,” advises Dr. Stale. “People may come in opposite directions where they’re not supposed to. Just be vigilant.” Being aware that road users here may bend the rules can help put you in the right mindset to keep yourself from getting hurt. 

Drink or drive

This doesn’t just apply to driving a car. “Many accidents happen because of alcohol use – biking home after having a few drinks,” says Dr. Stale. If you know you’re going to be on the sauce, don’t bring your own bicycle. Get there on a share bike that you can leave at the pub so you can get a cab home safely.

If you have an accident on your bike and need medical care, get yourself to BJU’s ER as quickly as you can, whether by calling an ambulance or by any convenient and fast method. If you have an old cycling injury that won’t go away, make an appointment with one of our specialists at the Department of Orthopedics by calling 4008-919191.

• Are you a beginner runner? Read BJU Physiotherapist Ying Swee Ong's tips for preparing for a marathon without injuring yourself. 

• Want to get into a different sport this fall? Ying has the scoop on doing that safely, too.