As night falls, some people stay home after work while others roam bars and malls. For the "night cycling community," this is the time they slip into their cycling gear and begin their "night life" by riding around Lake Li.
Recently, these cyclists told reporters that although the night cycling group has been growing steadily, suitable cycling routes are becoming increasingly scarce. They hope Wuxi can develop dedicated bike lanes to encourage more people to choose green and healthy modes of transportation.
Wuxi's night cycling community now numbers over a thousand
As soon as it gets dark, reporters arrived at the headquarters of Wuxi Sports Network on Jianshe Road, the starting point for cyclists, where over 20 people were ready to set off. Night cycling leaders "Liang Ge" and "The Lonely Cyclist" explained that night cycling in Wuxi began in 2007. Thanks to the efforts of the founder of Wuxi Sports Network and several enthusiasts, the number of participants has grown steadily, especially this year, when the group expanded rapidly from three to five hundred last year to over a thousand this year. The oldest rider is 60 years old, the youngest just 13, and during school breaks, large numbers of students also join in.
The cyclists set off from the headquarters at 7 p.m. every evening. More join at the "Light of Lake Li," and then they ride a full loop around the lake, covering about 36 kilometers in an hour.
Reporters noticed that all riders wear cycling gear, with shoes and clothing that glow in the dark. Helmets are essential, as are gloves. They all ride mountain bikes—entry-level ones cost around 1,000–2,000 yuan, and there are plenty priced above 30,000 yuan. Lights are mounted on both the front and back of the bikes, visible clearly from up to 500 meters away. The front light helps avoid collisions with vehicles or pedestrians ahead, while the rear light alerts following traffic. "Night cycling absolutely requires professional gear; otherwise, it’s very dangerous."
Cycling brings joy and even rapid weight loss
Most cyclists are between 30 and 50 years old, nearly all owning private cars and most enjoying relatively affluent circumstances. Yet it’s precisely these individuals who are keen to bring cycling back into fashion.
"After driving for too long without exercise, my health deteriorated. Cycling is mainly for fitness. Sticking with it has completely changed my energy levels—I move swiftly, my physique is great." The oldest rider, 60-year-old "Galaxy," spoke from experience, his white hair shining as he radiated vigor. Though lean, he is muscular. "Galaxy" told reporters that he runs a business and bought a private car many years ago. After driving for too long, he became significantly overweight. A few years ago, after joining the cycling group, he committed to night cycling daily and lost 20 pounds in the first month, also shedding his prominent belly.
"Many who first joined were 'triple-high' (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol) patients. Look at them now—they all have great physiques." "Liang Ge" showed reporters an old photo. "Urban white-collar workers often suffer from obesity, insomnia, and other issues—none of which you’ll find among us." Many cyclists agreed. Some ride daily, logging over 10,000 kilometers a year. Occasionally, they cycle around Taihu Lake, covering 260 kilometers in a single day. On holidays, they organize trips to nearby cities like Suzhou and Hangzhou. They’ve also rescued people from water multiple times, with their heroic deeds praised by the media. The cyclists speak of these experiences with great pride.
Locally, it’s hard to find good cycling routes
While the cycling community continues to grow, suitable roads for cycling are becoming scarcer. "This is the biggest issue we face right now," said "Liang Ge." The city center isn’t ideal for cycling due to too many traffic lights and heavy exhaust pollution. Originally, there were three classic routes: one to Huishan, but nowadays too many people go there to exercise, many bringing dogs that suddenly dart in front of bikes, leading to accidents. Another was the stretch from Shibawan to Qianbo Bridge, but now that road is covered in construction debris and dust, making it unsuitable for cycling. The third option was around Dafu, but with increasing numbers of construction vehicles, that route was also abandoned.
Cyclists lament that current roads are designed solely for cars, with no consideration for pedestrians or non-motorized vehicles. Even sections designated for non-motorized traffic are rarely as smooth as motor lanes, and many have fallen victim to manhole covers or potholes. "If we had bike lanes running through the city like in other countries, more people would definitely choose to bike or walk," said "Liang Ge."
Voices from the community
Green travel needs supporting infrastructure
Today is World Car-Free Day. Our city will hold an event on Zhongshan Road themed "Green Transportation, Fresh Air," advocating for green transport concepts and encouraging citizens to walk, bike, or use public transit. Promoting green travel is commendable, but making environmentalism a mindset and green travel a habit requires more than just experiencing "Car-Free Day."
Promoting green travel begins with raising awareness of health and environmental protection. Currently, the conflict between urban congestion and vehicles is intensifying, and urban ills such as noise and exhaust pollution continue to trouble us. Research shows that prolonged driving and extended sitting lead to poor blood circulation, resulting in various chronic illnesses. Drivers tend to be more fatigued compared to those who walk or bike to work. From this perspective, choosing green travel contributes not only to urban traffic and air quality but also to personal well-being.
For green travel to become a widespread trend, strong support from public infrastructure is essential—such as better allocation of road space to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, optimized bus routes enabling seamless transfers, and expanded use of public bicycles. Only when these issues are effectively addressed will green travel become smoother, encouraging more residents to voluntarily choose eco-friendly commuting options.