In the 1979 American film Breaking Away, the final wide shot of protagonist Dave cycling during a race has become an iconic image, symbolizing the dynamic connection between youth and cycling.

For many, their first cycling journey is filled with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty.

This sentiment resonates deeply with Xu Le (pseudonym), a 22-year-old senior at a university in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province. At around 2 a.m. on November 5, with temperatures in Henan hovering near 5 degrees Celsius, Xu embarked on a five-hour cycling journey from Zhengzhou to the neighboring city of Kaifeng that tested both his physical and mental limits. Gripping the handlebars of a shared bike, his hands numb from the biting cold, Xu pedaled on instinct, his legs driving him forward despite the chill.

As he rode, a voice nearby exclaimed, "Youth is priceless!" In that moment, Xu felt a temporary reprieve from the burdens of looming graduation, job hunting and the uncertainty of further studies. Anxiety, which had weighed heavily on him, seemed to dissolve into the crisp night air. Since October, Xu had frequently come across social media posts and short videos featuring college students cycling to Kaifeng. Inspired by their experiences, he impulsively decided to join the trend after watching yet another video on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, that evening.

Covering over 50 km, Xu reflected on the journey's transformative power. "You feel a sense of relief or reconciliation," he shared with Beijing Review. "Perhaps at that moment, I realized the purpose of this trip. It was a brand-new experience—and it was amazing."

Kindled over time

Kaifeng, the city that greeted Xu, was equally amazed. In early November, "Chinese College Students' Night Bike Rides to Kaifeng" unexpectedly became a trending topic online, casting a spotlight on this ancient capital, which once served as the seat of eight dynasties.

The "night cycling to Kaifeng" craze began in June, when four college students from Zhengzhou decided to pedal their shared bikes to the city to indulge in its famous Kaifeng-style soup dumplings. What started as a simple local excursion quickly gained traction on social media.

By summer, the popularity of night cycling had exploded. According to Meituan, a leading Chinese booking and delivery platform that operates the world's largest fleet of shared bikes, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Wuhan saw the highest number of nighttime cycling-related orders since July. In Beijing alone, total cycling time during the night increased about 15 percent compared to 2023.

Kaifeng's night cycling scene gained the sport new attention from national media and local residents alike. Related incentives for college students quickly followed. Fortunately, the influx of cyclists was well-managed, causing minimal disruption to Kaifeng's traffic and daily life.

In early November, several attractions in Kaifeng offered free entry to college students. Both Kaifeng and Zhengzhou created numerous scenic spots exclusively for them, set up refreshment stations along the cycling routes, and designed dedicated navigation routes for parking and guidance. Traffic police worked tirelessly from late night into early morning to manage the flow and ensure the cyclists' safety. On November 3 alone, over 200 volunteers assisted the young cyclists, as reported by news portal ThePaper.cn.

Tourist cities have long welcomed college students with open arms, and Kaifeng is no exception.

But capacity does have its limits. In 2023, Zhengzhou housed 74 higher education institutions with 1.75 million students, according to the Zhengzhou Education Bureau. Even a fraction of these students cycling creates a substantial influx. Furthermore, most students heading to Kaifeng prefer the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng Expressway, resulting in a concentrated flow of cyclists on a single route.

On the evening of November 8, the already popular night cycling trend to Kaifeng reached its peak. That night, the number of cyclists far exceeded the expectations of both cities, leading to heavy traffic congestion in Zhengzhou and immense pressure on Kaifeng. A massive surge of cyclists flooded the roads, causing severe bottlenecks on Zhengzhou's East Fourth Ring Road.

Along the route, many exhausted students stopped to rest or pushed their bikes forward. Some cyclists admitted that while the journey had been fun at first, being stuck in traffic had turned it into a challenging ordeal.

Medical teams were stationed at different points along the road. About 2 km from the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng junction, a Blue Sky Rescue team of volunteers stood by with medical supplies. A team member told online news portal Cover News they had voluntarily traveled over 200 km to assist, aware of the immense pressure both cities were under.

Where to draw the line?

Following the peak of night cycling on November 8, Kaifeng's roads were swamped with shared bikes. Despite dispatchers' efforts, relocating the bikes proved challenging due to their overwhelming numbers. Meanwhile, residents of Zhengzhou struggled to find available bikes, prompting operators to relocate them overnight. This process faced both logistical difficulties and increased operational costs.

Staff at bike-sharing platforms acknowledged that such long-distance, intercity travel goes beyond the intended scope of shared bike services.

On the morning of November 9, three major bike-sharing platforms, including Meituan Bikes, issued a joint statement urging caution and recommending a reduction in such intercity cycling journeys. Later that afternoon, they announced that shared bikes ridden beyond designated areas in Zhengzhou would be locked.

The initiative highlighted the safety risks associated with long-distance cycling, particularly on busy roads and at night. It also addressed potential health concerns and the increased maintenance needs for bikes. The platforms encouraged people to use public transportation when possible and, if cycling is necessary, to be well-prepared.

Meanwhile, Kaifeng officials urged college students to avoid large group rides and to act responsibly, balancing enthusiasm with safety. The underscored that cycling doesn't have to happen in groups or at night.

Wheels of youth

"The way the situation developed quite surprised me," Xu said. The sudden influx of tourists brought immense attention to Kaifeng, prompting a swift and tolerant response from all sectors of society to the night cyclists. However, there's no rush to explore the city—there are plenty of other ways to discover it.

This untapped market presents new opportunities for the development of night cycling. Huang Huang, an associate researcher at the China Tourism Research Institute, told National Business Daily newspaper that the night cycling trend reflects the nationwide growth of fitness and sports tourism integration, alongside the increasing importance of slow-moving traffic in urban transportation. He suggested planning dedicated cycling lanes through scenic spots, ancient towns and villages, creating routes that blend cycling with tourism.

Xu, however, began his cycling journey on a whim. "Maybe the online world had kept us distanced from real-life interactions for too long. So when a boundary-free social activity appeared, it immediately caught my attention," he said.

What truly touched Xu was the unwavering support the cyclists received: continuous safety guidance from local personnel, free access to tourist attractions, provision of temporary parking spaces, and even breakfast.

"Everyone genuinely cared for us," he added.

Though Xu is not yet sure what the next phase of his personal journey will bring, he has set clear cycling goals.

Xu further said he would follow designated cycling routes, prepare emergency plans and consider his physical condition in the future. "Many people support our generation; the least we can do is avoid adding to their burden," he said.

One thing is certain: Each night, a young dreamer weaves through the city's dimly lit streets—not merely in pursuit of fleeting joy, but to gather courage and determination for future ambitions, resolutely forging a path in the real world.

Printed edition title: Night Riders  

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

Comments to taozihui@cicgamericas.com