Street pilots

• Source: Globaltimes
• [00:07 March 02 2010]
• Comments

The recumbent bike in action. Photos: venturecyclist.blogspot.com

By Paul Morris

Of all the ways to navigate Beijing's streets, the recumbent bike makes me the most nervous. I'd happily give the Segway a go, stood erect at traffic lights, well aware that all and everyone can see me. Cycling is fine, and I have no qualms about using a beng beng che. But when you're on a recumbent bike, you are so low, and Beijing's taxi-drivers turn so quickly.

However, 41-year-old British accountant Michael Robinson is a convert. He's been riding his "bent" for six years, three in London and the last three in Beijing. "I have a number of types of bikes for all occasions, standard, fixed-gear," he offered. "But the ‘bent' is the most fun. I still get excited when I'm about to take her out."

Not quite a trend

It would be misleading to say the "bent" is catching on with any speed, but there are certainly more in circulation than there were six years ago. Beijinger and entrepreneur Liu Dong believes he was the first person in the city to own a "bent" back in 2004. "I had seen them on television used by foreigners and am interested in all types of cycling, so I decided to build one for myself," he said.

Many of the parts required to put together a "bent" are made in China, but as with most things, they are then shipped overseas and constructed there. Because of the lack of supply, the prices in Beijing started high and have remained expensive; for a long time the only way to get your hands on one was to have it custom built by people like Liu. "I sold the first one I made for 4,500 yuan. Since then, I have sold some for over 10,000 yuan."

Taking to the streets

Robinson has offered to let me take the "bent" for a test ride, and kindly agreed to cycle beside me in case it all goes horribly wrong. I am suitably kitted out with elbow pads (though I'm told they're unnecessary) and a helmet, which would be fine in Europe or America, but makes me feel self-conscious in Beijing. The "bent" has a big green flag, around 6 feet tall, which Robinson assures me will catch the eye of cab drivers, but I remain skeptical.