Bicycles

Since 2017, the city has made it a priority to build more pavements and add similar spaces for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists. In 2017, 222 km of pavements were upgraded; the lengths of upgraded non-motorized vehicle lanes were 283 km in 2018, 303 km in 2019, 449 km in 2020, 529 km in 2021, and 460 km by November 2022. 

There are a total of 3,197 km of non-motorized vehicle lanes in Shenzhen now, up 236% compared with 2016; moreover, 27% of the city’s roads are for non-motorized vehicles.

Internet-based bike-sharing services became available in Shenzhen in October 2016 and have since seen rapid development. At present, the major shared bike brands operating in the city are Meituan (yellow), Qingju Bikes (mint and white) and Hellobike (white).

For years, Shenzhen has been pushing for the integration of rail, bus and bicycle transport networks to build itself into a national model for a “public transport metropolis.” Through this, the city has made remarkable progress in public transportation. As of now, public transportation handles 11.84 million passenger trips daily. Bicycle transport as an extension of and supplement to fast public transportation is of great significance in meet citizens’ short and medium-distance travel needs, as well as alleviating traffic congestion. Currently, the city boasts about 2.5 million bicycle trips per day, of which about 0.9 million are attributed to Internet-based bike-sharing services.

Regulations on Using Shared Bicycles

1. Those without the ability to ride safely, minors under the age of 12, people suffering from illnesses or under the influence of alcohol, etc. are not allowed to use shared bicycles. Renting shared bicycles for minors under the age of 12 on the road is prohibited.

2. Cyclists should use the non-motor vehicle lane, and if no such lane is available, stay on the right-most side of a roadway.

3. Do not ride into areas where non-motor vehicles are prohibited, such as expressways, urban highways, among others.

4. Follow the traffic signals when passing through an intersection with traffic lights. Get off and walk the bicycle when traversing a motorway. Use the crosswalk or a pedestrian bridge when crossing a road, and if no such facilities are available or it’s inconvenient to use them, make a quick straight pass after confirming safety.

5. Do not carry passengers when riding shared bicycles, do not place children in the basket intended for holding goods, and do not exceed the basket’s maximum load limit.

6. Do not take both hands off of handlebars or hold things with your hands while riding. Do not climb, hold onto or be towed by other vehicles, and do not ride abreast with others while supporting each other’s weight; do not chase or race other bicyclists.

7. Park bicycles in an orderly manner in designated areas for non-motor vehicles, and if no such areas are available, park bicycles in an orderly manner in an area that does not obstruct the traffic lanes used by other vehicles and pedestrians.

8. Do not park public-share bicycles in places that affect public safety, such as motor vehicle lanes, non-motor vehicle lanes, pedestrian lanes (except for those that have been specified as parking areas of non-motor vehicles), blind roads, green areas, road entrances and exits, bus stops, metro station entrances and exits, pedestrian bridges, pedestrian tunnels, fire evacuation passages, etc.

9. Abide by the relevant management rules and comply with the management of administrative personnel when parking in a non-public space outside the road.

10. Abide by the other State, provincial and municipal laws and regulations on road traffic safety.

According to the “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Road Traffic Safety,” the “Implementation Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Road Traffic Safety,” the “Regulations of Guangdong Province on Road Traffic Safety,” the “Regulations of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on the Management of Road Traffic Safety,” and the “Regulations of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone on Penalties for Road Traffic Safety Violations,” violations of the above provisions will be subject to a warning or a fine of 20 yuan (US$2.84) to 500 yuan.

How to use bike-sharing apps in China

As a foreigner traveling or doing business in China, using bike-sharing services and mobile payments is a necessity. In major cities like Shanghai Beijing and Shenzhen, bike-sharing services are the preferred mode of daily transportation due to their convenience and eco-friendliness. The yellow Meituan bikes, blue and white Hello bikes and light green and white DiDi Qingju bikes are especially common.

However, for first-time visitors, using these bike-sharing apps in China can be a challenge. For instance, if you’re in China for business and need to walk 30 minutes from the subway to a client’s office, renting a shared bike is the quickest way to save time and arrive on time. Similarly, if you’re traveling and the destination isn’t accessible by subway, a shared bike is a quick and convenient option to explore the city.

This guide will detail how to quickly use Meituan, Hello biker, DiDi Qingju bike-sharing apps in China, and how to pay with international bank cards using Alipay and WeChat Pay. Whether for short-term travel or long-term stay, this guide will help you navigate transportation and payments in China, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.

For foreigners, using these bike-sharing apps in China is very convenient. Here are the detailed steps to use these three bike-sharing services, especially how to verify your identity with an international phone number and passport.

Download the relevant apps

Go to the App Store or Google Play and download the “Meituan” app or the “Hello Chuxing” app, or the “DiDi” app.

After opening the app, if it supports multiple languages, you can go to the “Me” page, find “Settings,” and select the language.

Register and log in

Use your international phone number to register and log in. This means you can use your international phone number even without a Chinese mainland number.

Identity verification

Use your passport for identity verification. You need to upload a photo of your passport within the app for verification.

Bind your payment method

You can bind an international credit or debit card. All three apps support payments via Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Renting and using the bikes

Open the app, find the “Ride” or “Shared Bike” option, and view the nearby available bikes. After finding a bike, scan the QR code on the bike with the app to unlock it.

Once unlocked, you can start riding. After use, park the bike in a designated area and manually lock it. The app will automatically calculate the fee.

Tips: key considerations

International phone numbers: All three apps allow registration and verification with international phone numbers, as long as the number can receive SMS verification codes.

Observe local traffic rules and parking regulations: To avoid unnecessary fines.

Payment limits: Foreign tourists may encounter transaction limits when using international cards, such as a single transaction limit of 6000 yuan and a monthly cumulative limit of 50,000yuan.

Other functions: Certain features like red envelopes (hongbao) and transfers may not be supported for international cards, and usage may be limited to daily transactions.

Bike-sharing apps in China: using Alipay and WeChat Pay

Since July 2023, Alipay and WeChat Pay have started supporting the binding of international credit and debit cards, making daily payments in China more convenient for foreign tourists. You can register using your international phone number without needing a Chinese mainland number.

Using Alipay:

Download and install the Alipay app

Download the “Alipay” app from the App Store or Google Play.

Register and log in using your international phone number.

Identity verification and binding payment methods

Verify your identity by uploading your passport and performing a facial recognition check.

Bind your international credit or debit card. Alipay supports Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, and more.

Payment methods

You can pay by scanning the merchant’s QR code or letting the merchant scan your Alipay QR code.

Using WeChat Pay

Download and install the WeChat app

Download the “WeChat” app from the App Store or Google Play.

Register and log in using your international phone number.

Identity verification and binding payment methods:

Verify your identity by uploading your passport.

Bind your international credit or debit card. WeChat Pay supports Visa, Mastercard, JCB, etc.

Tips:

Prepare your international credit or debit card in advance.

Ensure your phone can receive international SMS verification.

Familiarize yourself with the Alipay and WeChat Pay interfaces, using translation software if necessary.

Bike-sharing apps in China: tips and common issues

Peak-hour usage strategy

During rush hours, there might be a shortage of shared bikes. It’s advisable to plan your riding route in advance and choose parking spots a bit further away to increase the chances of finding a bike.

Choosing electric bikes

If you have a long ride, consider using Hello’s electric bike service to reduce physical exertion, especially in hot summer or cold winter.

Parking tips

After use, make sure to park the bike in designated areas to avoid fines. The Hello Bike, Meituan Bike, and DiDi apps all have maps showing parking spots, so it’s good to check before you start your ride.

Common issues

Bike unlocking problems

If you encounter issues with unlocking a bike, first ensure your network connection is stable. Try restarting the app or your phone and scan the QR code again. If the problem persists, use the in-app customer service feature for assistance.

Payment Issues

If your international credit card cannot process payments, check if it supports Alipay or WeChat Pay. If issues continue, contact your card issuer or use the in-app customer service.

Language barriers

Although most apps support multiple languages, you might still face language barriers. Using translation software or asking local people for help can be useful.