Between the 1950s and early 1990s, China was often labelled the “Kingdom of Bicycles” as the country had one of the largest inventory of bikes in the world. For many Chinese, bikes served as the primary mode of transport, with ownership soaring to roughly 500 million in the late 1980s, according to one CCTV report. In other words, one in three Chinese owned a bicycle at the time.
As China underwent economic reform and opened its doors to the world from the late 1970s onwards, bicycles gradually gave way to cars, and the nation is now the single largest automobile market in the world, producing over 31 million vehicles in 2024.
Despite this, bicycles have made a comeback across China in recent times, as the country aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote a healthier, less car-oriented lifestyle.
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To that end, local governments have been investing in the development of cycling infrastructure. Meanwhile, the domestic bike-sharing sector has grown exponentially and is forecasted to reap a revenue of US$5.63 billion this year, according to Statista.
For visitors, China’s share-bikes are a cheap and easy way to explore local communities and see the sights at a relaxed pace, while getting some exercise and minimising your carbon footprint to boot. Signing up isn’t immediate, and it helps to have a mainland Chinese phone number or Alipay or WeChat account, but it is worth it.
Read on to find out how to take advantage of the mainland’s bike-sharing facilities.
What apps do I need to download to use mainland China’s shared bike system?
There are three main bicycle sharing service operators in mainland China – the blue Hello Bike (哈啰出行), the yellow Meituan Bike (美团骑行) and the green DiDi Qingju Bike (滴滴青桔).
Before renting the shared bikes you find on the street, you will need to have the appropriate mobile apps on your Apple or Android device. For Hello Bike, this means using either the Hello Bike app or Alipay mini program. Meituan bikes make use of the Meituan app, while the Didi Qingju bikes can be rented out via the Didi app or WeChat mini program.
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Mini apps are basically apps within a super app such as Alipay or WeChat, which can be accessed by searching their names using the search bar located at the top of the super app’s main page.
How do I set up my bike sharing mobile app in China?
Before you can use your newly-installed standalone bike sharing app, you will first need to register. Depending on the app, registration can be done via your mainland Chinese phone number, email, or a super app such as WeChat or AliPay.
An ID verification process that involves filling out details such as your ID or passport number is a requirement. Those registering for the first time should take note that confirmation of your ID details can take a few days, meaning this step should be taken care of well before you rent a shared bike. Plan ahead.
As part of the process, you will also be required to link your credit card or bank card to the app for payment.
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If you can’t read Chinese, you’ll need to use a translation app or ask a friend who can read Chinese for help. Alternatively, get an Alipay account, set your Alipay to English and use the translation function to navigate the Hello Bike mini app.
If you already have a WeChat or Alipay account set up and linked to a card, registration becomes much less of a hassle and is just a matter of following the prompts.
How do I find a shared bike in China?
The homepage of the standalone bikesharing apps and mini apps all feature an interactive map that can be navigated.
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By default, the marker on the map is positioned in your current location, allowing you to view the location of available bikes nearby. If you move the marker around the map, the location of other bikes in that area will be displayed.
How do I rent a shared bike in China?
To rent a shared bike, simply scan the QR code on the bike using the appropriate standalone app or mini program. The QR code is generally located between the handlebar of the bike or underneath the bike seat. Once you scan the code, you will be asked to confirm that you wish to unlock the bike. Once you have done this, you may start riding, with the fee automatically calculated via the app.
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Keep in mind you will need to have stable internet access in mainland China to use the appropriate app and to rent the bike.
How much does it cost to rent a shared bike in China?
Shared bikes in mainland China are a highly affordable means of public transport. Prices can differ depending on the city, although you can expect to pay roughly 2 yuan for the first 25 minutes of use, followed by 1.5 yuan for every subsequent 30 minutes.
Rates for the ordinary yellow Meituan bikes are similar, with the first 30 minutes priced at around 2 yuan and every subsequent 30 minutes charged at 1.5 yuan.
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As for the normal green Didi Qingju bikes, they cost around 2 yuan to ride during the initial 25 minutes and 1.5 yuan for every 30 minutes thereafter.
Note that slightly higher rates can apply during public holidays. For instance, Meituan bikes cost 2 yuan for the first 25 minutes on these occasions and 1.5 yuan for every subsequent 30 minutes. Special bikes such as family bikes and e-bikes also carry a higher fee.
What do I do when I’m done with the bike?
Once you’ve finished riding, you will need to park your bike in an appropriate space. These are generally designated bicycle parking spaces that can be readily identified by the presence of other bikes and markings. If you are unsure, check the interactive map on your standalone shared bike app or mini app to locate parking spaces, which have clusters of bikes.
After you have parked your bike, simply return to the shared bike app and click return. The app will lock the bike and ask you to make the payment.
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Note that surcharges apply if you return your bike outside of the operating area or in a restricted zone. For instance, if you are returning your Hello bike outside of the operating area, you will be charged an extra 10 yuan. Similarly, Hello bikes returned in a restricted zone will incur a surcharge of 5 yuan.
Do the bikes in China come with a helmet?
None of the standard peddle bikes from the three main shared bike operators come with helmets. You will have to bring your own.
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The only bikes equipped with lockable protective headgear are electric bikes, which can be found in certain mainland cities such as Beijing, Hangzhou and Ningbo. Unfortunately, such bikes are currently unavailable if you’re riding in cities such as Zhuhai and Guangzhou.
What are some hazards that I should be mindful of?
Riding a bicycle in mainland China can be fun and liberating, but if you’re not careful, you could end up seriously hurting yourself and others. Here are some tips to stay safe.
- Before unlocking the bike for use, check the brakes and pedals are working and adjust the seat to make sure it’s comfortable.
- Right-hand traffic is the norm in mainland China. Where possible, stick to the right-hand side and abide by the traffic lights.
- Some streets and roads in the mainland don’t have cycle lanes, meaning you will have to use the footpath or road. Cycle slowly in such situations and be mindful of pedestrians, cars, bollards, potholes and uneven surfaces.
- When riding on cycle lanes in mainland China, keep in mind that not everyone will follow the rules and that some cyclists and scooter drivers will ride in the wrong direction. Under such circumstances, slow down and keep away from these bikes and scooters.
- When riding on footpaths, don’t be afraid to ring the bell on your bicycle to alert pedestrians of your presence. A collision could occur if pedestrians are unaware of your presence as you attempt to overtake them.
- If the footpath, road or cycle lane that you are riding on is too narrow or crowded, hop off and push your vehicle instead.
