China's cycling boom pedals new wave of health-driven consumption

NANJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- For freshman Miao Xuan, the journey to university was more than just a trip to a new city. It was a 706-km bike ride that marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

An outdoor sports enthusiast, Miao set off from east China's Fujian Province with his father, a cycling aficionado. Averaging about 70 km a day, the pair spent 10 days crossing three provinces before arriving in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, where Miao was set to begin his university studies.

"The trip was tiring, but cycling felt great," Miao said, adding that he plans to ride his bike to explore new cities whenever he gets the chance. "Cycling not only keeps me physically fit, but also refreshes my mind and helps improve my focus and perseverance."

Thursday marks World Cycling Day. Before becoming the largest market and producer for automobiles, China was better known as the "kingdom of bicycles." Today, the country is still the largest maker of bikes anywhere in the world.

Despite the rise of electric cars and the expansion of public transit networks, bicycles are still a go-to means of transport in China. In fact, bicycles have been enjoying something of a renaissance, with more young people embracing them as a fun way to get around and stay active.

For cycling enthusiast Li Bin in Jiangsu's Wuxi, riding along the shores of Taihu Lake has become a regular ritual. Equipped with goggles, a helmet and other protective gear, he often speeds along the lakeside routes.

"I started mainly to lose weight, and the results were quite noticeable. Gradually, I fell in love with the sport," said Li, who has been cycling for about two years.

While shared bikes are everywhere in Chinese cities, more and more young people are choosing to buy their own bikes instead. For these cycling fans, owning a bike feels like an investment in a healthier lifestyle.

"My first bicycle cost 2,500 yuan (about 370 U.S. dollars). I recently replaced it with another one, and after adding various accessories, the total cost came to around 10,000 yuan," Li said.

An outdoor sports industry development report from the General Administration of Sport showed that China had more than 130 million cycling users as of August last year, while the output value of its bicycle industry reached 300 billion yuan. On Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, cycling-related content has generated billions of views.

At a bicycle store in Nanjing, rows of bikes in different designs and specifications line the showroom. "Consumers are no longer buying bikes based solely on appearance. They also care about the frame materials and overall design," said Zhang Lan, the store manager.

Road bikes and mountain bikes priced between 2,000 yuan and 5,000 yuan are currently among the bestsellers, Zhang said. The store, which opened less than six months ago, has already generated more than 600,000 yuan in sales.

Giant, a world-renowned high-end bicycle manufacturer, said it now operates more than 3,000 stores across China. The company has even launched a bike line just for women, with designs tailored to women's body shapes and aesthetic preferences, as female cycling participation and spending continue to rise.

The range of cycling-related purchases is expanding beyond bicycles themselves to helmets, lights, cycling apparel, goggles, action cameras and other accessories, creating increasingly specialized market segments.

According to an industry forecast by Beijing Boyan Zhishang Information Consulting Co., Ltd., the cycling equipment market in China is expected to reach 32.29 billion yuan in 2026, up 12.6 percent year-on-year. The overall cycling market is projected to surpass 60 billion yuan.

Beyond traditional bicycles and accessories, technologies are opening up new space for the industry's growth.

At the Tianjin Golden Wheel Bicycle Group, a smart bicycle allows its rider to connect with nearby cyclists, chat in real time and form cycling groups via a mobile application. Onboard sensors can also monitor the rider's physical conditions, while providing technical support for remote troubleshooting and maintenance.

"The latest smart bicycle incorporates artificial intelligence that can learn a rider's habits and assess road conditions, making cycling easier while extending the riding range," said Li Zhenkun, marketing director of the company, which produces more than 2 million bicycles annually and exports to over 120 countries and regions.

As healthier lifestyles gain currency, bicycle consumption is evolving from a functional need into a lifestyle choice, with consumers placing greater emphasis on riding experiences, product designs, smart technologies and environmental value, Li added.

The boom is being fueled not only by consumer demand but also by an expanding network of cycling infrastructure.

In 2024, China issued a guideline calling for stronger development of urban slow-traffic systems, including dedicated bicycle lanes. An urban renewal plan for the 2026-2030 period released in May 2026 also called for building and renovating sidewalks and non-motorized vehicle lanes to create greener urban transport systems.

Cities across the country are responding by creating more cycling-friendly environments.

In Shanghai, a 45-km cycling route along the Huangpu River has been formed, providing a continuous ride from the Bund to the Xuhui waterfront. In Beijing's Tongzhou District, cycling paths along the Grand Canal feature smart lighting systems and rest stops equipped with first-aid kits. Some Beijing subway lines have started letting passengers bring their bikes on board. This trial operation is making it easier for people to get where they need to go for that last stretch of their commute.

These improved facilities are generating economic ripple effects that extend far beyond the bicycle industry itself.

Many cities are drawing on their natural landscapes and rural resources to develop cycling routes and organize cycling events, directly stimulating demand for homestays, restaurants and rural tourism along the routes, said Wang Zongping, a professor at Nanjing University of Science and Technology.

"China's rising cycling culture reflects not only a diversifying range of related businesses, but also the livability and quality of urban life, showcasing the vitality of contemporary city living," he said.