Once the dominant form of transportation in China in the 1980s and early 1990s, cycling has made a major comeback in recent years as a hot recreational trend among the country's young urbanites.

Compared to their parents, for whom bicycles were the only available means of daily commute, young cyclists nowadays have different types of bikes to choose from, a wide range of cycling routes on which to practice and advance their skills, and a dazzling array of bike accessories and gadgets to build their personal styles. To these young enthusiasts, cycling is no longer a necessity forced upon them, but an ultramodern lifestyle that integrates fitness, sustainability, social interaction and city tours.

The new cycling craze has transformed the physical appearance of the country's landscapes. Many of its major thoroughfares, including Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, an east-to-west street that runs through the centuries-old heart of the city, and Binjiang Avenue in Shanghai, a promenade that stretches along the Huangpu River, are now thronged with troupes of cyclists. Bicycle stores have been turned into city clubs, where cool urban bikers gather to shop bicycle gear, sip coffee and exchange the latest trends and news in the cycling world.

For this generation of young cyclists, the sport comes with a speed that is neither too fast nor too slow. At a medium speed, they can explore their surroundings, sometimes wander off the beaten tracks and enjoy a sense of control as well as a feeling of freedom.