“Bad Driving in Beijing: Poor Planning, or Lack of Enforcement?” The Beijinger

Bad Driving in Beijing: Poor Planning, or Lack of Enforcement?

Cars are something of a wedge issue between the international community and local citizens of Beijing. Many foreign residents of Beijing eschew driving themselves for bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, public transport, or walking. When cars are needed, they are summoned by apps. A sizable and growing section of the local Beijing population prefers to drive themselves.

As a result, Beijing’s roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes have become cultural fault lines. When complaints are made, whether posted on the Beijinger Forum or grumbled over beers at XL, about “Beijing drivers,” there is an unspoken assumption that said drivers did not grow up in Connecticut, Canterbury, or Canberra.