THE PERSISTING PRESENCE OF BICYCLES IN CHINA

Words and photos by Ryan Lindsay Bartz

Bicycles, bicycles everywhere and not a part to spare! Hoards and hoards swarm the streets with cyclical crankings, rattling chain links and lanes that try to guide the chaos. Umbrellas up, phantom rain coats cover; through the sun and rain the bicycles roam; swerving, turning, slow-rolling, climbing, bumping, baskets rattling, loaded racks ker-plunkering, vegetables spilling, children squealing: One, two, even three to a bike, we go—to the market, to school, to town, for a visit! Subtly meandering, quietly gliding, a loose-limbed, helmetless happiness. Welcome to the bikes of China.