China cracks down on young cyclists after night rides go viral

Chinese police have cracked down on an internet boom that saw thousands of cyclists crowd a highway under the cover of night to feast on dumplings in a nearby town.

University students sparked the trend weeks ago when they posted on social media about an evening drive from downtown Zhengzhou to Kaifeng, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) away, to enjoy some famous local soup dumplings, according to state media.

China cracks down on young cyclists after night rides go viral — Rental bikes in Beijing on October 8, 2024. Photo: Adek Berry/AFP.

The activity went viral, with images of recent rides showing a multi-lane highway connecting the two cities packed with thousands of cyclists, some on colorful shared bikes – the so-called “Grand Army of Night Riding.”

Authorities initially welcomed the social festival, but later imposed traffic restrictions as the sheer number of participants caused traffic chaos and safety concerns.

An online statement from provincial police Saturday said the road was “closed to non-motorized vehicles” from 4 p.m. to noon on Sunday because it was occupied by shared bicycles and other items at various points.

In a separate statement, the Kaifeng city government cited the risk of drivers falling and sustaining injuries or preventing other road users from seeking medical care.

“(They) have demonstrated the wanton capriciousness of youth,” it said, “but … more and more people are beginning to worry about the hidden dangers.”

Three major bike-sharing companies said Saturday they would introduce new local geographic restrictions, adding that vehicles would automatically lock if riders continued to travel in prohibited areas.

Many drivers documented their journeys on social media.

“There were already so many people around before we started driving,” reads the caption of a video on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.

“We’ll only be young once, people. Even the hardships of life add some spice to life!” it added.

Chinese social media trends in recent years have led to a youthful acceptance of cheap travel, such as “special forces tourism,” in which people pack as many sights as possible into extremely tight schedules.

The country is struggling to reverse an economic downturn that has left millions of young people struggling to find work, overqualified for available jobs or feeling trapped in its intense work culture.

Other cities that were briefly in the spotlight for their quirky barbecue style or delicious hotpot have also rushed to cash in before their online fame runs out.