The streets of China were buzzing with the hum of rented bicycles as thousands of students embarked on a nighttime adventure for a taste of Kaifeng’s famous dumplings. However, this spontaneous culinary journey quickly turned into a transportation spectacle, prompting authorities to step in.
Henan province witnessed an unusual sight as up to 200,000 young enthusiasts rented bikes, costing as little as £1.51 a month, to pedal 37 miles from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng. Their mission? To savor the beloved guantangbao, a popular type of soup dumpling. This curious trend originated when four young women made an impromptu dumpling run in June, sparking widespread interest on social media.
As the trend gained momentum, the roads became crowded with a lively ‘Night Riding Army,’ as the participants dubbed themselves. Packed bike lanes and blocked highways were the order of the night, as the surge of cyclists occupied not just one but four lanes at times. This remarkable turnout led to local concerns, especially with bikes being carelessly parked around city landmarks, inconveniencing pedestrians.
Liu Lulu, a student from Henan University, described the scene to the state media: ‘People sang together and cheered for each other while climbing uphill. I could feel the passion of the young people. And it was much more than a bike ride.’ The atmosphere was indeed electric, with online posts exclaiming the spectacle of the ‘Night Riding Army’.
In response to the chaos, police opted to shut down the bike lanes connecting Zhengzhou and Kaifeng, hoping to reduce the number of cyclists making the journey. This move wasn’t just about traffic management; it was also a plea for safety and order amidst rising complaints from Kaifeng residents.
Meanwhile, the government of Kaifeng, while acknowledging the fervor of youth, called for smaller group rides and emphasized public safety. Moreover, leading bike rental companies in the area announced new restrictions. Hellobike, DiDi Bike, and Mobike jointly agreed to lock bikes that ventured outside designated zones.
This isn’t the first instance of social gatherings leading to regulatory action in China. Shanghai recently saw a clampdown on Halloween festivities, with reports of arrests due to politically charged costumes. These developments are a continuation of managing spontaneous public movements with a firm hand.
China’s clampdown on this dumpling-fueled bike trend highlights the delicate balance between youthful exuberance and public order. While the passion of the ‘Night Riding Army’ showcased the power of social media to mobilize and unite, it also underscored the challenges urban centers face in maintaining order amidst new-age phenomena.
Source: News.sky
