Henan's student night rides spark joy — and traffic jams

Zhengkai Avenue is thronged with cyclists in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, on Friday. Extra police officers were deployed and guardrails installed to separate motor vehicle lanes from cycle lanes to ensure safety. chinadaily.com.cn

What started as a spontaneous quest for dumplings has turned into a full-blown trend among Henan’s university students, fueling both enthusiasm and unexpected headaches along the way, according to Chinese reports. 

Inspired by a viral June journey of four young women who pedaled from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng for a late-night taste of guantangbao, or soup dumplings, students have embraced group cycling as a way to bring a spark to their evenings. 

Setting out on shared bikes, groups ride nearly 50 kilometers between the two cities — pedaling for five hours or more in what’s become a celebration of youth and camaraderie. On social media, the trend caught fire with a hashtag: “Youth has no price, night ride to Kaifeng has it.”

An influx of cyclists caused significant traffic disruptions on Zhengzhou's Dongsihuan Road on Friday. Photo from WeChat account "开封融媒"

But as more students joined the nightly rides, local roads began to feel the strain. With cyclists often stretching across lanes and riding in packs, traffic slowed to a crawl on Zhengkai Avenue, the main route between Zhengzhou and Kaifeng. Kaifeng residents also reported crowded sidewalks and public spaces, where shared bikes were left haphazardly parked. Meanwhile, Zhengzhou commuters faced bike shortages at metro stations, with most shared bikes swept up by the nightly pilgrimage.

On Saturday, traffic police from both cities stepped in, announcing temporary weekend restrictions on bike lanes along the route, hoping to ease congestion. From Saturday afternoon to noon on Sunday, the lanes would be closed to cyclists, authorities said. 

Shared bike companies Hellobike, DiDi Bike, and Mobike also released a joint statement limiting the range of their bikes in Zhengzhou, urging caution for riders undertaking long-distance rides. 

Kaifeng’s government, for its part, encouraged students to keep their rides small and prioritize public safety, reminding them that "youth needs passion but also responsibility."

Although the late night rides have been paused, the experience has left many students with fond memories. Liu Lulu, a student at Henan University, described the rides as unforgettable. "People sang together and cheered for each other while climbing uphill together," she told China Daily. "I could feel the passion of the young people. And it was much more than a bike ride."

For now, Henan’s student cyclists plan to adapt to the new rules. "Causing problems for the public is the last thing we want to do. Of course, we will follow the new rules and suggestions. I am sure we can show our vibrant spirit in other ways," Liu added.