So I’m in Shanghai; surprise! This is not going to be a geek blog so if you’re expecting code or algorithms, check back next week when I’m back to my normal life.
I’ve been in Shanghai for about six days now and through all of the interesting experiences I’ve had navigating the city I’ve come to learn one very important lesson; pedestrians don’t win. They don’t win against bikes, they don’t win against mopeds, they don’t win against cars, they don’t win against other pedestrians. The little old lady on the bike who you accidently cut off will happily turn around and whisper sweet nothings in your direction as she rides away.
The actual rule of law in Shanghai regarding traffic is the following: cars give way to mopeds, mopeds give way to bikes, bikes give way to pedestrians. Actual walking around proves otherwise. The order of victory goes by size and speed. Cars, especially taxis, then mopeds, and finally bikes is the order of power on the streets. Traffic laws are generally disregarded. This includes red lights as they make right turns without slowing down and pedestrian cross walks as they make left turns across traffic. If you’re legally in an intersection as a pedestrian you need to be on high alert for cars coming from any direction. I emphasize cars because they can really put a dent in your knee, but I’m referring to any moving vehicle including bikes and mopeds. What’s really interesting is that the traffic signals actually encourage this behavior! In Mexico and other non-US countries, the lights flash green or yellow before they turn red and they do the same in Shanghai. What’s different is that before a light turns green, the yellow flashes a couple of times to get the drivers ready for the green. The blinking yellow is a “start your engines” command and if you hear this, get the hell out of the intersection. It’s like a drag race once that light turns green (and they don’t penalize for leaving the starting line early) and if you’re in the intersection, watch out.
In light of my experiences, I’ve come up with a few rules for crossing the street.
- Whenever possible, cross with a crowd. Drivers don’t seem to want to get multiple blood types on their cars at once. Just O or AB+, but no mixtures. If everybody in the crosswalk has the same blood type as you, you’re fair game.
- When entering an intersection, including pedestrian cross walks, look in the normal directions, left and right, and then crane your neck around behind you and to the left and gauge how fast that car is coming down the street that might be making a right turn from any lane of traffic. If you can make it to the 1/2 way point across the street, you might be okay.
- Cars will get as close to you as possible in the intersection without actually hitting you. Don’t be surprised by this and fight for your space… just don’t lose.
- Walk with authority. Enter the intersection like you’re supposed to be there and don’t hesitate to cross in front of a car. If you do hesitate, a good taxi cab will pounce on this and proceed to scrape your nose with his right front mirror as he crosses in front of you.
So that’s crossing the street. What’s interesting is that there are rules for walking on the sidewalk too. This is mainly because that although the sidewalks are normally for walking (hence the name), bikes, motorized bikes, and mopeds are just as likely to turn up behind you at a good clip. These too can hurt you if they hit you, but at least you are normally going in the same direction so some of the velocity is lost on impact.
Here is my rules for walking on the sidewalk: Look, listen, and feel. (Nothing like a little first aid training to provide a summation.) Look behind you if you hear or feel anything coming up. Trust that sixth sense and move!
Shanghai is great, just don’t be a tourist pedestrian.