Whether traversing the breezy coastal greenways of Shenzhen, a coastal city in southern China, or \u201clooping\u201d the 100-kilometer urban parkway in Chengdu, renowned as a \u201cleisure city,\u201d cycling has emerged as a vibrant lifestyle choice, a social gathering hub, and a key driver of China\u2019s burgeoning outdoor economy.<\/p>\n
According to an industry report on outdoor sports released by the General Administration of Sport, China\u2019s bicycle industry achieved a total output value of over 300 billion yuan (about 42.9 billion U.S. dollars) by the end of 2024. Notably, sales of sports bicycles and smart e-bikes surged by 18 percent and 25 percent year-on-year, respectively.<\/p>\n
FROM INFRASTRUCTURE TO LIFESTYLE<\/p>\n
In Shenzhen, where half is mountain and sea, half is city, a 260-kilometer coastline serves as a scenic backdrop for cycling enthusiasts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government has actively incorporated feedback from the cycling community to develop a more professional and accessible path system,\u201d said Pan Yong, president of Shenzhen\u2019s cycling association. The city aims to complete a leisure cycling network exceeding 1,000 kilometers by 2035.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Chengdu, the 100-kilometer round-the-city greenway has evolved into a legendary \u201ccycling loop.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zhang Yu, a local cyclist outfitted with professional gear, usually dedicates six hours on weekends to completing the full loop. \u201cIt\u2019s an ideal way to unwind while immersing oneself in the scenery,\u201d Zhang said.<\/p>\n
With a cycling population exceeding 2 million and daily shared-bike rides surpassing 2.2 million, the highest in the country, Chengdu\u2019s sports consumption is experiencing explosive growth. In the first half of 2025 alone, the city\u2019s sports-related spending, fueled by cycling, is projected to hit 41 billion yuan.<\/p>\n
A \u201cSOCIAL MAGNET\u201d FOR CONSUMPTION<\/p>\n
Cycling is no longer just about the bike; it is about the community. In Shenzhen, cycling paths now link major business districts, parks, and cultural landmarks, fostering vibrant \u201cstay-and-spend\u201d hotspots.<\/p>\n
\u201cA cycling park is a destination for social engagement,\u201d said You Fangfang, a brand planner at Kaledo. The brand\u2019s \u201cCorner Cycling Life Festival\u201d in the Greater Bay Area has attracted up to 60,000 visitors per weekend, blending cycling with coffee culture, rock climbing, and pet-friendly activities.<\/p>\n
The trend has also captivated global attention. After retiring, world champion cyclist Wong Wan-Yiu relocated to Shenzhen\u2019s Yantian District, where she started a bike motocross club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI live right by the sea,\u201d Wong said. \u201cMy Hong Kong friends often come to Shenzhen for weekend rides, and many young riders from Hong Kong join our club for training sessions.\u201d<\/p>\n
To bridge the \u201clast kilometer\u201d for riders, Shenzhen has launched dedicated \u201ccycling buses\u201d and \u201cbike-friendly\u201d subway trains, enabling enthusiasts to transport their bicycles directly to the start of scenic routes.<\/p>\n
FROM \u201cGEAR UP\u201d TO \u201cSMART TECH\u201d<\/p>\n
The cycling craze has directly spurred a shift from basic utility to professional performance. Li Junshang, head of cycling community operations at Decathlon Shenzhen, noted that consumers are increasingly \u201cchoosing equipment based on specific needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSales of folding bikes have surged by 30 percent year on year, while demand for children\u2019s bikes and touring models continues to grow steadily,\u201d Li said. \u201cCycling is now an integral part of diverse lifestyles, from commuting to parent-child outings and outdoor exploration.\u201d<\/p>\n
This growing demand is fueling high-tech manufacturing. DAHON, a leading folding bike manufacturer headquartered in Shenzhen, holds over 600 patents.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur growth demonstrates that \u2018small wheels\u2019 can indeed propel a big industry,\u201d said David T. Hon, an 80-year-old laser physicist and chairman of DAHON. He attributed the company\u2019s expanding business to the government\u2019s emphasis on innovation and intellectual property protection.<\/p>\n
As the industry matures, experts believe the \u201ccycling economy\u201d is shifting from a price-driven to a value-driven model. The bicycle is no longer merely a means of transportation; it has become a catalyst for innovation, a cultural symbol, and a gateway to a new lifestyle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Whether traversing the breezy coastal greenways of Shenzhen, a coastal city in southern China, or \u201clooping\u201d the 100-kilometer…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":389093,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[445],"tags":[49,48,95,122159,635,165111,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-389092","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-china","11":"tag-china-cycling","12":"tag-cycling","13":"tag-mna","14":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/389092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=389092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/389092\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/389093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=389092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=389092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=389092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}