Uncivilized cycling damages Taiyuan’s public bicycles

　　“Little desk, don’t sigh, who scratched your skin? You help us study, we shouldn’t hurt you. Little broom, don’t be mad, who threw you on the ground? I’ll bring them over, make them apologize.”

　　This is a nursery rhyme loved by kindergarten children, teaching a very simple truth: take care of public property. Yet nowadays, in the provincial capital, the public bicycles spread across streets and alleys have become the most mistreated public assets.

　　The public bicycle rental service is a commendable policy introduced by Taiyuan. Since its launch in late September last year, over 16,000 public bicycles have been put into use, greatly facilitating residents’ travel. However, due to uncivilized cycling by some citizens, the wear and tear on the bikes has accelerated, with some even being deliberately vandalized. You may be familiar with such scenes:

　　Riding while standing — some ride standing up, putting all their body weight on the pedals; overloaded baskets — using the bike’s front basket as a shopping bag, stuffing it with everything, making it wobble precariously; teaching kids to ride — adults using public bikes to teach children how to cycle, leaving the bikes covered in scratches; using docking stations for workouts — treating public bikes like “exercise bikes,” pedaling furiously...

　　According to statistics from Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd., between May 1 and May 28, a total of 18,606 public bicycles were repaired and maintained. This equates to overhauling all operational public bicycles in less than a month; among them, 380 bicycles were so severely damaged that they had to be sent back to the factory for major repairs.

　　Maintenance staff revealed that uncivilized and non-standard cycling are major contributors to the damage. The most frequently repaired parts are the pedals and seats: pedal damage is often due to standing or learning to ride, resulting in bumps and knocks; seat damage from cigarette burns or cuts by sharp objects is purely vandalism. Additionally, detached baskets and fenders are definitely caused by heavy objects, sometimes even people sitting on them. Other actions like not dismounting at curbs or not slowing down over potholes often lead to fork fractures.

　　Bicycle maintenance consumes significant manpower and resources, and the longer repairs take and the greater the volume, the more strained the supply of public bikes becomes. Currently, the average daily turnover rate per public bicycle in the city reaches 11–13 times, meaning the loss of one bike affects the travel of over ten people a day.

　　Many have damaged public bikes, but very few have compensated. Staff from the operations department of Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd. said that since the service launched last year, they have only received two compensation cases totaling 138 yuan: one cyclist paid 100 yuan for damaging a bike fork, and another paid 38 yuan for breaking a seat. Both incidents were fully recorded by surveillance cameras. When contacted, the individuals admitted to the acts and voluntarily compensated. More often, however, they cannot locate the culprits, or even if found, the individuals refuse to admit fault.

　　Can those who damage public bikes be held liable for compensation? How is it pursued? Are there legal grounds and compensation standards? Before launching the public bike service, Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd. established the "Public Bicycle Damage and Loss Compensation Standards." For example, the fee for a damaged frame is 270 yuan per unit, and 435 yuan per transmission shaft. These standards were filed with the Price Bureau and publicly disclosed in advance.

　　Taiyuan’s public bicycle rental cards operate on a real-name basis. Every citizen signing up for a card also signs a "Taiyuan Public Bicycle Rental Contract" with the company. The contract clearly states that the lessee (Party B) is obliged to take care of the public bicycles and related facilities, and must not sublet, lend, or dismantle the bikes. If the lessee causes loss or damage to the bike or accessories, they must compensate at cost and pay relevant rental fees.

　　Lawyer Yan Cuifang from Shanxi Dongao Law Firm explained that when citizens sign the rental contract, they enter into a civil agreement with Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd., and both parties acknowledge the terms. If one party breaches the contract, the other has the right to pursue civil liability.

　　From a legal perspective, some forms of uncivilized cycling are no longer just issues of moral condemnation, but unilateral breaches of agreement or even illegal acts of vandalism. Taiyuan’s public bicycle investment and operation are entirely funded by the government, making them typical public property. For uncivilized cycling or deliberate destruction causing severe damage, Yan Cuifang believes there are at least three avenues for redress: first, Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd. can demand compensation from the lessee; second, public security authorities can impose penalties under the "Public Security Administration Punishment Law of the People's Republic of China" regarding intentional damage to public or private property; third, the public can report acts of vandalism to the bike company or police.

　　Feng Junping, director of the comprehensive office at Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd., said the main challenge in claiming compensation is insufficient evidence. Currently, surveillance cameras are mainly installed at bike docking stations, making it difficult to monitor what happens after bikes leave the stations.

　　In this regard, news media and the public have played a significant role. Since the introduction of public bikes, the media has published numerous photos and videos of uncivilized cycling, along with many mobile phone recordings, most of which can identify the riders. Lawyer Yan Cuifang believes these can serve as evidence for Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd. to claim compensation.

　　Of course, many forms of uncivilized cycling don’t immediately damage bikes but accumulate harm over time. To protect the bikes, violations must be stopped as soon as they’re spotted. Taiyuan Public Bicycle Service Co., Ltd. has implemented a “blacklist” system: the first time a lessee violates the rental contract, they receive a warning; upon a second violation, they are added to the blacklist and permanently barred from using the service. According to surveys, dozens of users have been warned so far, but none have yet had their access revoked.

　　Wang Senben, head of publicity at Taiyuan Bus Group, said that for uncivilized cycling, education and guidance form the foundation, addressing self-discipline, while supervision and punishment are key, addressing external discipline. The two must work closely to be truly effective. Supervision and punishment mean enforcing rules — rule-breakers must be held accountable and pay the price. Of course, such measures can regulate behavior and also foster better conduct.

　　Thanks to their low-carbon nature, convenience, and affordability, public bikes have become the “first choice” for many Taiyuan residents and a beautiful highlight of the city’s green transportation. One netizen remarked: public bikes are a “touchstone” for civic quality — their operation and condition reflect a city’s level of civilization. May everyone uphold their standards before this touchstone and avoid tarnishing this urban asset.