The Great Race: Seven commuters in the dash across Beijing

Ever wondered which is the most efficient mode of transportation in Beijing? We have too. So we sent out seven intrepid movers and shakers in a race from our offices at Dawang Lu (in the CBD) to the Drum Tower at rush hour in order to uncover which form of transport is the King of Commutes. Here are the results:

7th place: Bus and wits (time: 1hr 41’40”, average speed: 6.75 km/h) *

You’re a map-blind wombat with a fractured internal compass, barely passable Chinese and a pocket full of kuai.

Pros: 1) Very social method of navigation whereby one gets to know old men, disgruntled construction workers and attractive young women who laugh at you because of your ineptitude. 2) Sense of pride in the com­munity effort.

Cons: 1) Getting to know old men, disgruntled construction workers and attractive young women who laugh at you because of your ineptitude. 2) Basically the least efficient way to travel anywhere.

* Petitions to disqualify this result on the grounds of the bus rider’s incompetence are under review.

6th place: The Subway (time: 53’20”, average speed: 12.27 km/h)

A veritable underground village, complete with a predictably mundane, though air-conditioned, journey.

Pros: 1) Sometimes, at least, air conditioned. 2) Front row seats for public displays of affection. 3) Listening for “Our next destation.”

Cons: 1) Not always close to your final destination. 2) Front row seats for public displays of affection. 3) The feeling of being herded like cattle through a narrow, hot hallway.

5th place: Taxi (time: 40’37”, average speed: 16.2 km/h)

The conversations run the gamut from anti-Japanese diatribes to deep, contemplative silence. And the risk to your life is slight, but only in the grand scheme of things.

Pros: 1) Scintillating conversation. 2) No smoking laws that are often but not always enforced.

Cons: 1) Dangerous, dangerous driving. 2) The black cabs.

4th place: Personal vehicle (Time: 39’00”, average speed: 16.6 km/h)

The Western way: a single-occupant, gas-inefficient car, made complete with the addition of a patriotic miniature Chinese flag.

Pros: 1) Can take personal control over your safety and wellbeing. 2) Can decorate the interior with full Hello Kitty mock-up.

Cons: 1) Bumper-to-bumper traffic takes on a whole new meaning. 2) Gas ain’t cheap.

3rd place: Running (time: 36’50”, average speed: 18 km/h)

If you can withstand the constant barrage of potentially carcinogenic car exhaust, compounded by poor general air quality, it makes a lot of sense to run.

Pros: 1) ”How did you get here?” “Oh, I ran. No big deal.” 2) Bonus brag­ging points if you smoke a pack along the way.

Cons: 1) It will kill you if you do it too often.

2nd place: Motor scooter (time: 33’50”, average speed: 19.6 km/h)

Ironically, the motor scooter is the vehicle of choice for both younger biker types and older Chinese women. Hopefully, passersby will know into which category you fit.

Pros: 1) Chic and cool. 2) The Hog makes a beautiful noise.

Cons: 1) Weaving between lanes of traffic might just be dangerous. 2) Un­helmeted, you run the risk of knocking the cool shades off of your face.

1st place: The bicycle (time: 28’10”, average speed: 23.1 km/h)

The Thumbelina of the Beijing traffic world: small, nimble, and agile. No surprise, then, that the perennial Chinese favorite leads the way.

Pros: 1) Ride on sidewalks, go between cars, go the wrong way, sneak by crossing guards, and run red lights. 2) Good for the environment, and good for you. Kind of like trees.

Cons: 1) You’re breathing in a lung full of bus exhaust every 5 minutes. 2) Actually requires effort.

This article was excerpted from the Insider’s Guide to Beijing. Fully updated for 2009, the guide is available in stores in Beijing, Shanghai and other Chinese cities and on the web at Amazon.com and www.immersionguides.com. To have a copy delivered to your home, office or hotel in Beijing, call 5820 7101 or e-mail distribution@immersionguides.com .