Bike-Sharing Guide in China

Effortless Short-Distance Travel with Shared Bicycles. Many Chinese cities have shared bikes, which are suitable for short-term rental rides and are convenient to experience.

1. How to Use Shared Bikes

1.1 Download and Register

• • Popular Platforms:
    • 美团单车 (Meituan Bike)
    • 哈啰出行 (Hello Bike)
    • 青桔单车 (Qingju Bike)
  • Steps:
    1. Download the app from your device’s app store.
    2. Register with a phone number or email.
    3. Complete real-name authentication (passport information required).

1.2 Locate and Unlock a Bike

• • Finding Bikes:
    • The app shows available bikes on a map.
  • Unlocking:
    • Scan the QR code on the bike’s frame.
    • Manual input: Enter the 15-digit vehicle number for supported bikes.

1.3 Riding and Parking

• • Riding:
    • Start pedaling and follow traffic signals.
  • Parking:
    1. Park in designated areas marked by ground paint or geofenced zones.
    2. Manually lock the bike; the app will end the ride and charge automatically.

2. Payment and Pricing

2.1 Deposit and Recharge

• • Deposit: Some platforms require a ¥200 deposit, refundable upon request.
  • Recharge: Add funds via WeChat, Alipay, or bank card for ride payments.

2.2 Pricing

• • Base Fare: Typically ¥1.5–3 per 30 minutes, with overtime fees.
  • Packages:
    • 7-day or 30-day unlimited ride plans, costing ¥2–5 per day on average.

2.3 Deposit-Free Options

• • Some platforms waive deposits for users with high Sesame Credit scores (authorization required in the app).

3. Riding Etiquette & Safety

3.1 Traffic Rules

• • Obey Chinese traffic laws: No retrograde movement and no running red lights.
  • Use bike lanes where available; otherwise, ride on the right side of the road.

3.2 Parking Regulations

• • Park only in designated zones to avoid fines (¥20–50).
  • Prohibited Areas:
    • Motor vehicle lanes, sidewalk blind paths, fire lanes.
    • Scenic spots, hospitals, schools.

3.3 Safety Tips

• • Wear a helmet (mandatory in some cities).
  • Use the bike’s built-in lights for nighttime riding.

4. Problem Resolution

1. Faulty Bikes
   • Report issues in the app to receive free ride credits.
2. Billing Disputes
   • Review your ride history and file a complaint through the app if discrepancies occur.
3. Lost Items
   • Contact customer service immediately with the ride time and vehicle number.

5. Useful Contacts & Tools

• Customer Service:
  • Meituan Bike: In-app “Customer Center” or 10109777.
  • Hello Bike: In-app chat or 95218900.
• Navigation Apps: Use Amap or Baidu Map to plan routes.