Gina and Lou in China

This scene is so common that it has become completely unremarkable to us. Notice that the kid has to hold his feet up or else rest them on some random bit of hardware on the bike. That's probably the reason that many people prefer to ride ...

... side saddle. This picture and all the others on this page except the last one, were taken on the street that runs along a small river or on the bridge over the river, the route we take to get to the main campus of the university. Notice the umbrella. Many women have a short pole attached to the handlebars with a goose neck extension that holds an umbrella.

If this boy had a younger sister he would be sitting behind the woman and his sister would be standing upright on the platform.

This bike is somewhat unusual in have an actual seat for the child on the back. Most kids in child carriers are much smaller.

Take a look at the bike. A bent tube frame (not chromo), no derailleur (no gears), enclosed chain guard made of sheet steel, sheet metal fenders, caliper brakes, probably weighs about 40 lbs. This is the standard bike, and it goes for around 300 RMB, or about $37. Oh yeah, the kid. We see that all the time.

Everyone rides tandem. Note that the police don't seem to have guns. Also note that every symbol associated with them except for the two on the luggage carrier, which mean "public safety", is western.