Chinese communist cycling crackdown after thousands ride along highway to gorge on dumplings in nearby city as part of internet craze that infuriates officials
Chinese police have cracked down on an internet frenzy that saw thousands of cyclists crowd the highway overnight to eat dumplings in a nearby town after local government officials were startled by the mass gathering.
University students fueled the trend weeks ago when they posted on social media about an evening drive from the central city of Zhengzhou to Kaifeng, about 80 kilometers away, to enjoy some famous local soup dumplings, state media said.
The activity went viral, with images of more recent rides showing a multi-lane highway connecting the two cities, packed with thousands of cyclists, some astride brightly colored shared bikes – dubbed the ‘Night Riding Great Army’ .
Authorities, long concerned that young people would gather in their crowds, initially welcomed the wholesome revelry but later imposed traffic restrictions, citing traffic chaos and safety concerns.
An online statement from the provincial police said on Saturday that the road would be “closed to non-motorized vehicles from 4 p.m. until Sunday afternoon” “due to occupancy by shared bicycles and other items at various points.”
University students sparked the trend weeks ago when they posted on social media about an evening drive from the central city of Zhengzhou to Kaifeng, about 80 kilometers away, to enjoy some famous local soup dumplings
The activity went viral, with images from more recent rides showing a multi-lane highway connecting the two cities packed with thousands of cyclists
China under Xi Jinping (photo) has long feared the mass mobilization of young people
In a separate statement, Kaifeng city government cited the risk of cyclists falling and being injured, or other road users hindering access to medical care.
“(You) have demonstrated the willful stubbornness of youth,” it said, “but… more and more people are beginning to worry about the hidden dangers.”
Three major bike-sharing companies said on Saturday they would impose new local geographic restrictions, adding that the vehicles would be automatically locked if riders continued to travel in restricted areas.
Many riders had documented their rides on social media.
“There were so many people on the road before we started driving,” reads the caption of a video on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok.
Authorities, long concerned that young people would gather in their crowds, initially welcomed the wholesome revelry but later imposed traffic restrictions, citing traffic chaos and safety concerns.
‘We only get young once, guys. The hardships of life also spice it up!’ it added.
Chinese social media trends in recent years have led to a youthful embrace of cheap travel, such as “special forces tourism,” where people pack as many sights as possible into extremely tight schedules.
The country has struggled to reverse an economic slowdown, leaving millions of young people struggling to find work, overqualified for the jobs available, or feeling trapped in the intense work culture.
Other cities that were briefly in the spotlight for their quirky barbecue style or delicious hot pot have also rushed to cash in before their online fame runs out.