Recently, the phenomenon of university students in Zhengzhou, Henan, China, riding shared bikes to take nighttime trips to Kaifeng has become very popular. These students typically set off in the evening, cycling dozens of kilometers to this ancient capital, famous for its historical sites and distinctive snacks, enjoying the vigor of youth and the pleasure of traveling with friends. This trend was initially encouraged by the government to promote the development of local tourism.
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02-11, 2025However, with the surge in the number of riders, this activity gradually spiraled out of control, leading to problems such as traffic congestion and the indiscriminate parking of shared bikes. Thousands of cyclists have paralyzed intercity traffic, and a large number of discarded bikes piled up on the streets of Kaifeng, also making it difficult for Zhengzhou residents to find available bikes. In response, local governments have begun to take measures to restrict this activity, including deploying police forces and closing bicycle lanes.
The official reason given is that traffic order has been disrupted and safety hazards have increased. However, analysts believe that the scene of a large-scale, spontaneously organized student gathering may have touched a nerve with local officials. Given the Chinese Communist Party's history with youth movements and its high emphasis on social stability, such activities are prone to triggering official vigilance.
To prevent students from participating in cycling activities, some universities in Zhengzhou have even introduced regulations restricting students from leaving campus. At the same time, three shared bike platforms in Zhengzhou have also issued a joint statement warning that bikes ridden out of the city will be automatically locked. These measures indicate that the government's attitude towards this trend has changed, after having previously actively promoted the activity and regarded it as a symbol of "youthful passion."
Regarding the phenomenon of night rides to Kaifeng, there are different voices on the Chinese internet. Some people accuse the students of bringing chaos to Kaifeng and affecting the lives of local residents. Others believe that the local government should have made adequate preparations before encouraging this trend. In addition, for some college students facing employment pressure and feeling anxious about the future, night rides to Kaifeng also provide a rare opportunity to relax and temporarily escape the troubles of reality.
