Cycling culture becomes a trend as 'cyclists' pedal happily on the streets of the port city

　　Wearing helmets and cycling gear, they deftly weave through congested traffic in their bicycles... As the weather warms up, the 'bike heroes' on the streets have become a dynamic part of the urban scenery. With May Day approaching, many cyclists in the port city have chosen to spend their holidays on two wheels. According to industry insiders, the number of cyclists in Yantai has more than 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 tourist routes, which would not only enhance safety but also boost tourism development.

　　Cycling is gaining popularity

　　Jiang Bo, who is under 50, is a well-known figure in Yantai’s cycling community. Ever since he opened his Giant bicycle shop in 2002, it has attracted plenty of attention. "At first, the bikes in the store were all a few hundred yuan. It was a big deal if someone bought one that cost over a thousand," he recalls. But now, every bike in the Giant store is priced above 3,000 yuan, and there are no shortage of customers 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 during the holiday to take part in a cycling event. My old bike wasn’t up to it, so I got a better one." In Yantai, there are plenty of 'bike enthusiasts' who invest heavily in their cycles. 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.

　　On April 25, when a reporter met Li Hongmei, the owner of a bicycle specialty store in Yantai, 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. In less than two years, a second and third store followed. To outsiders, the 'two-wheel' business seems to be thriving even more than the 'four-wheel' one.

　　In 2012, five new bicycle specialty stores opened in downtown Yantai. "These past two years have been a boom period for the bicycle market, as can be seen from the change in the number of stores," said Wang Lijun, manager of a U.S.-based Dahon brand store. He started cycling in 2007 and became a bicycle shop owner in 2008. "Back in 2008, there were only three bicycle shops. The growth rate in recent years is astonishing. Bicycles have returned to their golden age."

　　According to interviews, most consumers of high-end bicycles these days are 'bike enthusiasts,' or what is now popularly known as the 'cycling community.' This group mostly consists of middle-aged and older 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. "A bike ride around the block is better than spending a whole day at the gym."

　　Female cyclists have also been gradually increasing in the 'cycling community' in recent years. Li Tingting, 27, is a cycling enthusiast. "At first, I just thought it would be fun. I followed a friend from Erma Road to Yangma Island, but halfway through, I could hardly breathe and had to get off and push the bike for a few hundred meters. But now cycling is easy for me, and my friends say my energy levels have improved a lot."

　　For Xiao Xing, another cyclist, the biggest thrill of riding a bike is the challenge and excitement. "If you haven’t experienced it, you can’t imagine what it feels like to ride down a 60-degree slope." Xiao Xing has been into cycling for three years. "At first, it was just about fun and thrills, but now it’s become a regular fitness habit."

　　In Jiang Bo’s view, the development trajectory of bicycles aligns with trends toward environmental protection and health. The revival of cycling culture fits the current wave of eco-consciousness, 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 free time, I go out for a bike ride. Sometimes I even write about my experiences online. Wherever we go, people pay attention to us. There’s always something fun about a cycling trip."

　　It is understood that more than 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 will also organize a group to go to Henan for a cycling race," said Jiang Bo. Bicycle specialty stores generally have their own cycling clubs, and various themed cycling events have also helped promote the development of cycling culture in Yantai.

　　Interviews revealed that both mountain bikes and outdoor bikes are selling well in Yantai. Store operators attribute this to the city’s geographical environment. "The Kunyu Mountain and Da’nan Mountain areas are great for mountain biking, where those who enjoy stunts can take on challenges. Meanwhile, the coastal route offers scenic views all along, making it perfect for road bikes."

　　Wang Shuai, who has organized multiple cycling events, explained that once the weather warms up, it marks the peak cycling season in Yantai. "Cycling while feeling the sea breeze and enjoying the scenery is truly a pleasure." Jiang Bo has participated in cycling events in many cities across China, but he believes Yantai is the most suitable city in the province for developing cycling. "Most sections are manageable for ordinary bikes, with no major elevation changes. Yangma Island and Changdao offer loop routes around the islands, and areas along the Jia River feature a blend of sea views, river scenes, and man-made landscapes, all very picturesque."

　　"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 geographical location, traveling to nearby cities involves relatively long distances and time—currently, holidays are fairly short, so it's difficult for most outdoor enthusiasts to travel far. But with Yantai’s good road conditions and long coastline, it’s particularly suitable for cycling.

　　In interviews, most cycling enthusiasts share one view: "Cycling culture is a good thing for a city." However, many in the 'cycling community' believe 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 exceed speed limits, not only using the bike lanes but also overtaking at high speeds, kicking up clouds of dust. "You end up covered in dust after just one ride."

　　Some figures in cycling clubs 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 provide an added layer of safety for local cyclists but also attract cyclists from other regions to come to Yantai for competitions, which would greatly benefit the local tourism industry." In Jiang Bo’s view, Yantai could learn from the development of cycling tourism around Qiandao Lake in Hangzhou. "When I went cycling at Qiandao Lake, there were dedicated cycling paths along the lake—it was extremely convenient for cyclists."