Wearing helmets and cycling gear, they deftly weave their bicycles through congested traffic... As the weather warms up, these “bicycle heroes” have become a dynamic part of the urban scenery. With May Day approaching, many cyclists in the port city have chosen to spend their holiday riding. According to industry insiders, the number of cyclists in Yantai has doubled in recent years, and the number of specialty bicycle shops has also increased by five or six in the past year. As cycling grows in popularity, cyclists are also expressing a stronger demand for dedicated bike lanes. Some have suggested leveraging Yantai’s coastal resources to create specialized cycling tourism routes that can enhance safety while boosting tourism development.
Cycling is gaining popularity
Changed 4 bikes in 5 years, spent over 40,000 yuan on the hobby
Jiang Bo, under 50 years old, is a well-known figure in Yantai’s cycling community. Since opening his Giant bicycle shop in 2002, it has drawn considerable attention. “At first, most bikes in the store were just a few hundred yuan. It was a big deal if someone bought one over a thousand,” he recalls. But now, every bike in the Giant store is priced above 3,000 yuan, and there are plenty of customers even for bikes priced over 10,000 yuan.
For May Day, 29-year-old Li Xu treated himself to a big gift: a mountain bike worth over 4,000 yuan. “A friend is going to Henan to join a cycling event during the holiday, and my old bike wasn’t up to it, so I got a better one.” In Yantai, there are many “bike enthusiasts” who invest heavily in cycling. Wang Lijun, 27, has been into cycling for five years, has changed four bikes, and spent over 40,000 yuan. His current ride is a custom-built mountain bike worth more than 30,000 yuan. Wang Zhan from the Xidesheng brand store said the shop once sold four bikes in a single day, each priced around 3,000 yuan.
Over one year, five new shops opened — the “two-wheel” business is booming
On April 25, when a reporter met Li Hongmei, owner of a Yantai bicycle specialty shop, her three phones kept ringing. “With the holiday coming up, more customers want to buy bikes.” Li Hongmei’s previous job was in marketing and planning for Mercedes-Benz cars. After joining a few cycling trips with friends, she opened her first bicycle shop in 2011. Within two years, she opened a second and third store. To outsiders, the “two-wheel” business seems to be thriving even more than the “four-wheel” one.
In 2012, five bicycle specialty shops opened in downtown Yantai. “These past two years have been a boom period for the bicycle market, which is evident from the increase in store numbers,” said Wang Lijun, manager of a U.S.-based Dahon brand shop. He started cycling in 2007 and became a shop owner in 2008. “Back in 2008, there were only three bicycle shops. The growth rate in recent years is astonishing — it feels like the golden age of cycling has returned.”
Reasons behind the trend
A bike ride around town is like a full day at the gym
According to interviews, those who purchase high-end bicycles these days are mostly cycling enthusiasts — or what’s now known as the “cycling community.” Most of them are middle-aged to elderly individuals between 30 and 60 years old. Cui, a 42-year-old veteran cyclist, owns two mountain bikes and one road bike. Weekend cycling has become his regular fitness routine. “Going for a bike ride is better than spending a whole day at the gym.”
Female cyclists within the “cycling community” have also been gradually increasing in recent years. Li Tingting, 27, is a cycling enthusiast. “At first, I just thought it was fun and joined some friends for a ride from Erma Road to Yangma Island. Halfway through, I could barely breathe and had to push my bike for a few hundred meters. But now cycling is easy for me, and my friends say I look much more energized.”
For Xiao Xing, the biggest thrill of cycling is the challenge and excitement. “If you haven’t tried it, you can’t imagine the feeling of riding down a 60-degree slope.” Xiao Xing has been into cycling for three years. “At first, it was just about fun and adrenaline, but now it’s become a regular fitness habit.”
Clubs offer many activities, cycling culture becomes fashionable
In Jiang Bo’s view, the development of cycling aligns with trends toward environmental protection and health. The revival of cycling culture fits today’s trends of eco-friendliness, low-carbon living, and wellness. “As living standards improve, people’s standards for quality of life are also changing. When someone shows up fully geared up on their bike, many find it really cool.” Lao Teng, 65, is a cycling enthusiast. This May Day, he plans to cycle to Tibet. “When I have time, I go out for a ride. Sometimes I even write about my experiences online. Wherever we go, people pay attention to us. There’s always something fun about cycling.”
It is understood that over 10 bicycle shops in Yantai regularly organize club activities. “Giant previously held a cycling competition around Yangma Island, which attracted over 1,000 participants. This May Day, we’re also organizing a group to go to Henan for a cycling race,” said Jiang Bo. Bicycle specialty shops usually have their own cycling clubs, and various themed cycling events have helped promote the development of cycling culture in Yantai.
The port city has great roads, with mountains and coastline alike
Interviews revealed that both mountain bikes and outdoor bikes sell well in Yantai. Shop owners attribute this to the city’s geographical environment. “Areas like Kunyu Mountain and Da’nan Mountain are perfect for mountain biking, where those interested in stunts can take on challenges. Meanwhile, the coastal route offers scenic views, making it ideal for road biking.”
Wang Shuai, who has organized multiple cycling events, explained that as soon as the weather warms up, it marks the peak cycling season in Yantai. “You can enjoy the sea breeze and take in the views while riding — it’s truly a pleasure.” Jiang Bo, who has participated in cycling events in many cities across China, believes that Yantai is the most suitable city in the province for developing cycling. “Most sections of road are manageable for ordinary bikes, with minimal elevation changes. Yangma Island and Changdao offer loop routes, while areas along the Jia River feature a blend of sea, river, and man-made landscapes that create a very picturesque setting.”
Cyclists call for
Building cycling routes to boost Yantai’s tourism
“Outdoor cycling is what Yantai is best suited for,” said Wang Shufa, head of an outdoor club, in a previous interview. Due to Yantai’s geographic location, traveling to nearby cities involves relatively long distances and travel times. Coupled with shorter holidays, it’s often difficult for outdoor enthusiasts to travel far. But with Yantai’s excellent road conditions and long coastline, it’s particularly well-suited for cycling.
During interviews, most cycling enthusiasts echoed the sentiment that “cycling culture is a positive thing for any city.” However, many within the “cycling community” feel that Yantai lacks dedicated bike lanes. “Although there are bike lanes in the urban area, they are often occupied by motor vehicles, making cycling quite dangerous,” said Li Hongmei. Sometimes, drivers speed through, not only occupying the bike lanes but also overtaking at high speeds, kicking up clouds of dust. “After a ride, you end up covered in dust.”
Some cycling club representatives believe Yantai is highly suitable for developing dedicated cycling tourism routes. “Places like Yangma Island and Changdao could establish clear bike lane signage and build professional cycling paths. This would not only enhance safety for local cyclists but also attract cyclists from other regions to come for competitions, which would greatly benefit Yantai’s tourism industry.” In Jiang Bo’s view, Yantai could learn from the cycling tourism development around Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou. “When I went cycling at Qiandao Lake, there were dedicated bike paths along the lake — it was extremely convenient for cyclists.”