Guangzhou: Food's Heavenly, Traffic's a Hot Mess.
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Here's my perspective as a fellow traveler, keeping things honest:
Hey everyone, I'd like to share some insights from my experience as a tourist.
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️️️ Quick disclaimer: I'm not saying Guangzhou is a bad city at all! It's actually an amazing place. The nightlife is vibrant, it's incredibly friendly for pet owners (thumbs up for that 
), the food is outstanding, and I believe I only experienced a small fraction of what the city offers. Therefore, my impressions may have certain limitations.Regarding the traffic situation, I must say that the current layout for electric bikes and bicycles in Guangzhou left me rather perplexed.
- There seem to be very few designated lanes for these modes of transportation (known as 'non-motorized vehicle lanes' in China, or '非机动车道').
- Most electric bikes (the electric scooters that are ubiquitous) cruise along the sidewalks, among the pedestrian crowds.
- Hence, during my stay, I kept to the extreme edge of the sidewalks since e-bikes would be heard making that signature "beep beep beep" sound as they whizzed by unexpectedly.
- Even more unsettling, there were instances of electric bikes driving directly on the main roads with motor vehicles, adding to the chaos and lowering overall road safety.
- Ideally, the main roads should be used for motor vehicles, sidewalks for pedestrians, and special lanes for electric bikes and bicycles. When pedestrians feel unsafe on sidewalks and cars have to navigate to avoid the electric bikes on main roads, it's clear that something is amiss. Such disorder neither benefits traffic safety nor presents a favorable image of the city to visitors.
As a newcomer to Guangzhou, I can think of a few reasons why this peculiar scene plays out:
- Mainly, perhaps the urban planning did not allow for sufficient dedicated lanes for electric bikes. Hence, even if riders try to be courteous, choosing sidewalks or major roads becomes unavoidable due to lack of options.
- Moreover, it seems that the riding habits of some individuals need improvements. Although I did observe streets marked with black poles (akin to curbs in Hong Kong) indicating intended e-bike lanes, many riders ignored them, continuing to use the sidewalks or main streets.
- Lastly, this indicates a need for stricter policy enforcement. The sight of numberless electric bike riders on the streets sans helmets was disconcerting. Wearing a helmet while riding an e-bike is a nationwide norm, including Guangzhou, yet it seems that enforcement of certain regulations is subpar, turning the city streets into an unpredictable space that poses real threats to public safety.
️️️ IMPORTANT ADVICE AND WARNINGS FOR FELLOW VISITORS:- Exercise utmost alertness when walking on sidewalks.
- Electric bike enthusiasts treat pedestrian paths as their own swift lanes. They can sneak up on you almost silently before letting off a startling "beep." Avoid problems by sticking to the extreme edges of the sidewalk and being prepared to step aside if needed. Remember, even though you're a pedestrian, e-bikers may not give way naturally.
- Be sure to put on a helmet when riding an electric bike.
- If you rent an electric bike, it's paramount to wear a safety helmet despite observing others who do not adhere to this rule. Your well-being comes first!
️️️ I'll add, once again, that I harbor no negative sentiment toward Guangzhou. I wholeheartedly wish for its continued improvement. Civilized, unified compliance with rules creates an enjoyable atmosphere for locals and visitors alike. -
Will there be dedicated lanes for non-motorized vehicles? From what I understand, it seems like only Guangxi has them, right?
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Yes, some places do. I can't guarantee all areas have them, but they're quite common in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region.
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The initial city plans didn't even factor in e-bikes; they even banned motorcycles.
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E-bikes are genuinely difficult to regulate.
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They're terrible for traffic safety. It's frustrating even just trying to walk normally on the road.
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As a local, I'm giving you a thumbs up. Guangzhou's traffic is just crap.
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The underground transit system is quite well-developed. Surface traffic would be much better if it weren't for all the e-bikes, though.