As I mentioned in a previous post, cars have most definitely taken over the dominant position on the roads once held by bicycles. The environmental impact is horrible. Beijing is almost constantly covered in a blanket of smog. Other cities are less seriously affects, probably only because of their smaller size, but the density of traffic is incredible everywhere.
I must confess we have contributed to the pollution by taking taxis everywhere. Although Beijing and Shanghai have metro systems, taxis are often more convenient and incredibly cheap. In the "smaller" cities they are essential.
Car drivers do not have it all their own way, though. A phenomenon that surprised me is the electric scooter. There are thousands of them racing around, their riders as undisciplined as car drivers, and none of them wearing helmets. Passengers are sometimes carried side-saddle, especially older women. You often see small children clutching on to mother or father, sometimes asleep. Occasionally you see a child sandwiched between parents. It's treacherous for the the unwary pedestrian as you can't hear these electric machines coming. It's worse at night as they mostly don't use their headlights -- I imagine that would use up the battery quicker.
The white lines down the middle of the road seem to be simple guidelines rather than restrictions. Cars, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians ignore them recklessly. Horns blare constantly, not so much in aggression as to indicate "here I come -- get out of my way!" It's artistic the way they all seem to avoid each other, even at big junctions. It's not unusual to cross three lanes in one move, or to drive on the wrong side of the road for a bit until forced back by oncoming traffic.
The next leg of the journey is to Dali, five hours north of Kunming by bus.
I must confess we have contributed to the pollution by taking taxis everywhere. Although Beijing and Shanghai have metro systems, taxis are often more convenient and incredibly cheap. In the "smaller" cities they are essential.
Car drivers do not have it all their own way, though. A phenomenon that surprised me is the electric scooter. There are thousands of them racing around, their riders as undisciplined as car drivers, and none of them wearing helmets. Passengers are sometimes carried side-saddle, especially older women. You often see small children clutching on to mother or father, sometimes asleep. Occasionally you see a child sandwiched between parents. It's treacherous for the the unwary pedestrian as you can't hear these electric machines coming. It's worse at night as they mostly don't use their headlights -- I imagine that would use up the battery quicker.
The white lines down the middle of the road seem to be simple guidelines rather than restrictions. Cars, scooters, bicycles and pedestrians ignore them recklessly. Horns blare constantly, not so much in aggression as to indicate "here I come -- get out of my way!" It's artistic the way they all seem to avoid each other, even at big junctions. It's not unusual to cross three lanes in one move, or to drive on the wrong side of the road for a bit until forced back by oncoming traffic.
The next leg of the journey is to Dali, five hours north of Kunming by bus.
