Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“It started as a social media quest for breakfast dumplings, but ended with thousands of cyclists bringing traffic gridlock between two cities in central China. What should have been a boost to the ancient city of Kaifeng’s economy backfired when the trend went viral — tens of thousands on rented bikes cycled through the night from nearby Zhenghou. A six-lane expressway between the two cities quickly filled with cyclists as police took to loudspeakers urging them to leave. Bike rental firms warned they would remotely lock bikes taken out of Zhengzhou. The event is part of a trend where young Chinese are travelling cheaply at a time when the economy is faltering and job prospects are scarce. It began with four university students who cycled for 50km (30 miles) from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng in June to try guantangbao, a type of soup dumpling.” (11/11/24)