Cycling accidents prompt safety alerts

A series of cycling-related accidents has prompted Chinese authorities to issue safety alerts, urging cyclists and motorcyclists to obey traffic rules, wear helmets and avoid alcohol.

On Aug 11, a tragic incident in Rongcheng county, Hebei province, captured widespread attention after online videos showed a father and son riding with a cycling club when the boy accidentally fell into the opposite lane and was struck by a car, according to ThePaper.cn, a Shanghai-based news outlet. The county's traffic management bureau confirmed the boy's death two days later, and an investigation is ongoing.

The incident quickly went viral on Chinese social media, sparking public concern over cycling safety. Cycling has surged in popularity as an outdoor sport, particularly among the younger generation.

A report by social media platform Xiaohongshu revealed that bike-related content increased nearly 400 percent between January and October last year, with over 1 billion views of the topic.

In response to the growing trend, public security bureaus across China have intensified efforts to raise awareness of cycling safety. Police in Ma'anshan, Anhui province, issued fines and provided legal education to cyclists caught running red lights and using motorways near Binjiang Park. In the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, a campaign against cycling violations was launched early this month, with a focus on cyclists who speed and encroach on pedestrian areas.

Aksu prefecture police in Xinjiang also visited bike shops to educate sellers on safety laws, urging them to remind buyers not to ride on footpaths, run red lights or ride against traffic. In Beijing, the traffic management department of the Public Security Bureau announced a campaign to raise awareness about speeding cyclists at the end of July, highlighting the dangers of reckless riding.

"Cycling has become a popular form of exercise and lifestyle choice, but some riders pursue speed recklessly, disrupting traffic and posing significant safety risks," the department said, emphasizing the importance of adhering to traffic laws, wearing helmets and ensuring bike safety before riding.

The department also stressed that cyclists and motorcyclists are prohibited from riding side by side, and they should maintain a safe distance from others on the road to avoid dangerous maneuvers such as sharp turns or sudden braking. Drunk and fatigued cycling are also strictly prohibited.

In June, Shanghai police vowed to increase inspections of illegal cycling following public complaints and a rise in violations. Current laws do not specify a cycling speed limit, complicating enforcement, and traffic police have called for clearer regulations to address the issue.