But my joy ride on Sunday turned into a mini altercation with one of the locals. Although riding a bicycle is very common and deemed "safe" in China, just as long as you stick to the bicycle lanes, it can get a bit nervy as driver and riders of bigger vehicles can get impatient and nasty on us cyclist. Hence you need a lot of guts riding a bicycle on the streets of Shanghai
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| My slightly dented bicycle. Now it's officially "China-rised" |
At a heavy junction along Changle Lu (长乐路), my path got blocked by an inconsiderate scooterist. He took his bloody time to cross the road, blocking me and other riders. Other vehicles behind me were honking and shoving me, hence I got irritated and spewed a Hokkien vulgarity at him. (I am also human, not a saint, so I do have my good and bad moods). Before I knew it, he chased after me, whacked into my bicycle and shouted at me. I was stunned and immediately called after Mr S. It got the bully's attention and rode away. But I was starting to fume and didn't see that Mr S have stopped in front of me and I rode right smacked into him and fell over.
Fortunately I did not sustained any injuries nor any bruises. Just that my bicycle basket is now slightly dented. I wonder if that bully would have continued to chase me down the road if I have not called for Mr S or for help.
Although I am a tough cookie and ride like a local in Shanghai, sometimes I do need my knight in shinning armor as there are times I am a damsel in distress.
