China’s roads faced gridlock as thousands of cyclists embarked on a night quest for dumplings

What began as a social media-driven pursuit for breakfast dumplings culminated in thousands of cyclists causing severe traffic congestion between two central Chinese cities. An initiative anticipated to stimulate the economy of the ancient city of Kaifeng proved counterproductive after the trend rapidly gained popularity, drawing tens of thousands of individuals on rented bicycles to ride through the night from neighboring Zhenghou. The six-lane expressway connecting the two cities rapidly became saturated with cyclists, prompting police to use loudspeakers to instruct them to disperse. Bicycle rental companies issued warnings that they would remotely disable bikes transported outside of Zhengzhou. This occurrence forms part of a broader pattern of young Chinese individuals seeking affordable travel options during a period characterized by an unstable economy and limited employment opportunities. The phenomenon originated in June with four university students who undertook a 50km (30 miles) bicycle journey from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng to sample guantangbao, a specific variety of soup dumpling. “You don’t get a second chance at youth, so you must go for a spontaneous trip with friends,” one of the four students had conveyed to local media. This sentiment resonated with other young residents in the city of 12.6 million, as China’s youth have progressively voiced concerns about exhaustion stemming from an excessively competitive and demanding job market. This led to the emergence of the social media trend named “Night Ride to Kaifeng”. Initially, state media commended it as an illustration of young people’s “passion”. Furthermore, the local government perceived it as a chance to replicate the immediate renown that the town of Zibo achieved last year when millions visited to experience its barbecues. Prior to Friday night’s traffic congestion, Kaifeng’s officials had even publicized discounts and organized events specifically for college students. They also implemented supplementary traffic control protocols designed to safeguard the cyclists. “Everyone was beaming with energy and interacting with people around them. It was like back to my college days,” 27-year-old Ms Li informed the BBC. She traveled to Kaifeng on a motorbike alongside the students on Friday night. She stated her decision to participate and “live like a young person for once” came after encountering a post regarding the trend. She further noted a substantial police presence throughout the route. “You could see ambulances and traffic police cars on both sides of the road quite often, and there were also drones flying above to monitor the traffic.” However, the cheerful atmosphere shifted as the thoroughfares in Zhengzhou started to become inundated by thousands of bicycles. Images disseminated online depicted significant congestion on the primary routes connecting Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. A witness informed the local publication Jimu News that his journey on that particular route, typically lasting one hour, extended to three hours. Certain riders reported on social media that they had to dismount their bicycles and navigate through the throng on foot. No official count of the bicycles present on the road on Friday night was provided. Nevertheless, social media accounts indicate the total number varied between 100,000 and 200,000. Furthermore, numerous individuals who reached Kaifeng appeared not to have found the experience enjoyable. “I really regret going,” stated a widely shared post from a student who had cycled for over seven hours. They were unable to secure a taxi or a hotel room due to the immense demand. “As I sat in a restaurant eating my meal, I heard the owner criticising college students for having nothing else to do… I’m really sorry for affecting the people in Kaifeng,” the student penned. Some online users condemned the cyclists for “irresponsible” actions, including littering. With the exacerbation of the traffic gridlock, three prominent bicycle rental platforms in China released a joint declaration advising students to opt for trains or buses for extended journeys and to refrain from using bikes at night for safety considerations. By Saturday afternoon, these companies had commenced imposing charges on individuals who cycled to a different city. Several social media updates indicate that some universities in Zhengzhou have directed students to return to their dormitories and instituted limitations on their ability to depart the campus. Traffic authorities in both Zhengzhou and Kaifeng sealed off certain primary cycling routes connecting the two cities on Saturday and Sunday. The resistance from officials in both cities is not unexpected, given that Chinese authorities consistently suppress large assemblies, which they apprehend could instigate protests or any manifestation of political expression. The previous month, police in Shanghai curtailed Halloween festivities due to concerns that the celebrations might be utilized to convey dissent. Ms Li asserts that impromptu gatherings, like the Night Ride to Kaifeng, will persist simply due to their appeal to young individuals. “People are so stressed these days, so these events are a good thing,” she says. “Because happiness is infectious.”