Night Cycling Trend in China: Fun or Worry?

12 November, 2024103 words2 minutes

A new trend has swept through Chinese college campuses: night-time bike rides to the city of Kaifeng. Located about 30 miles from Zhengzhou, the provincial capital, Kaifeng is renowned for its historical sites and delicious soup dumplings. Thousands of students have been participating in these spontaneous adventures, seeking fun and excitement.

Initially, the government encouraged this trend as it boosted local tourism. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. Tens of thousands of cyclists overwhelmed the roads, causing traffic jams and safety concerns. In response, authorities have begun to restrict these rides by closing bike lanes and deploying police to maintain order.

Night Cycling Trend in China: Fun or Worry?

Audio

Loading audio ...
00:00

Words

  • spontaneous
    done or occurring without planning beforehand
  • renowned
    famous and respected
  • spiraled
    increased or developed rapidly in an uncontrolled way
  • overwhelmed
    to have too great an effect on someone or something

Quiz

  1. 1. What was the government's initial reaction to the cycling trend?

  2. 2. Why did authorities start restricting the bike rides?