Bikes

Bikes
For details in the [|**Faculty Handbook**].

Teachers have bought bicycles from the [|Giant Bicycle] store as well as the [|Decathlon] sports store. Trek has a shop about a 15-minute walk from Concordia (by Head to Toe, a great haircut/massage place), Specialized is at the top end of the price range and is just around the corner from school. Carrefour and Metro are two other sources where teachers have purchased bikes and battery-operated bikes and scooters.

Prices range from a low of 500 RMB; to much, much more depending on the quality of the bike and how serious a rider you are. Top of the line bicycles tend to be about what you would pay in the USA and low end bikes tend to be cheaper so it isn't worth the expense of shipping one unless you are particularly attached to what you have.

Make sure you lock your bike! At school, your bike will be very safe. At home or other places, be sure to lock it up, especially if you purchase an expensive bike from Giant, Trek or Specialized. The more expensive your bike, the more expensive and unbreakable your lock should be.

Learning how to ride your bike in Shanghai traffic is a totally new experience, so be very careful for your first couple weeks. Most streets have bicycle lanes, but be aware that bikers and pedestrians are never given the right of way. Helmets are a must for any child under the age of 12.

Technically you should register bikes (if new). You will have some chance of recovery if it stolen and it is less likely to be a target as it has a serial number identification stamped onto it for all to see. They can be registered at the local police station but you will have to get some help to do it. Be sure to get a fapiao and the registration note from the store. If you are riding an unregistered bike you could technically have the police confiscate it straight away (but this is unlikely to happen).

Bicycle helmets are available but are expensive and difficult to size. Bring yours with you if you have room in your shipment.