Thought I’d write a little about getting around in China. We have found traffic to be a huge problem in all the cities we have been in. With this many people, I guess it is unavoidable. Our guide said that the government is trying to implement policies to discourage cars. The registration fees are very high and they are trying to expand mass transit. It also does not seem that people follow traffic laws. It has been very harrowing to be a pedestrian in all three cities. They just do not stop for people crossing the street. Our guide suggested that we cross in a group with a number of Chinese people. Pretty weird to have walk lights and crosswalks that drivers ignore. I used to think of large numbers of Chinese people on bicycles on the streets. Still quite a few bikes, but scooters have replaced the bikes. Also was disturbing to see infants and little kids riding on the scooters with their parents but without helmets. I am posting some photos to give you an idea of the various forms of transportation I have seen. Some of these are taken through the bus window and not always as clear as I'd like, but hopefully they will give you an idea.
