A traffic officer manages traffic on Zhengkai Avenue, linking Zhengzhou and Kaifeng in Central China’s Henan Province, where temporary controls were put in place on November 9, 2024, to ensure the safety of college students taking part in a night cycling event. Photo: CFP

Authorities in neighboring Zhengzhou and Kaifeng, in Central China’s Henan Province, imposed temporary traffic controls on a major road connecting the two cities Saturday, following safety concerns sparked by tens of thousands of college students participating in a cross-city night ride.

Throngs of college students from across China joined the night ride starting in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan, riding east along Zhengkai Avenue, covering over 50 kilometers in about five hours to reach downtown Kaifeng city. 

According to Kaifeng’s traffic authorities, over 17,000 students participated in this late-night cycling event between November 1 and 4 with participation peaking over the weekend, the Beijing News reported.

This trend began on June 18, when four female college students from Zhengzhou set off on a night ride to try Kaifeng’s famous guantangbao, a type of soup dumpling. The adventure quickly went viral, inspiring students across Zhengzhou and beyond to embark on their own nighttime excursions. 

The spontaneous night ride frenzy became such a sensation that it gained a hashtag, “Youth has no price, Night Ride to Kaifeng has it.” 

However, residents in both Zhengzhou and Kaifeng have reported issues such as bikes being improperly parked and a shortage of available bikes, making daily commuting difficult. Local residents have also complained that the large influx of cyclists riding together has led to traffic congestion and trash problems.

A video circulating online shows traffic management staff along the avenue broadcasting reminders that Kaifeng had reached full capacity to cater all the visiting students to discourage incoming cyclists. 

Some netizens and commentators criticized the cyclists for violating traffic regulations, encroaching on auto lanes, and potentially obstructing rescue vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks. The night ride frenzy have also raised concerns about the risks of stampedes and chain collisions.

In response, both Zhengzhou’s and Kaifeng’s traffic police announced temporary traffic control measures closing non-motorized lanes for bike riders on Zhengkai Avenue in both cities from 4 pm on Saturday to noon on Sunday. 

Meanwhile, the three major bike-sharing platforms – Hellobike, DiDi Bike, and Mobike – issued a warning that bikes would be locked if taken outside designated zones. 

The three major bike-sharing platforms also issued an open letter to young cyclists, addressing concerns about rider safety, health issue, bike maintenance, and environmental impact. 

Global Times