SHIJIAZHUANG — As the sun rises over a green fitness trail in Xingtai in North China's Hebei province, a group of cyclists pedals in unison, their wheels humming along the smooth, tree-lined path.

"The road is flat and smooth, without any noticeable slopes. It's a real pleasure to ride here," says Zhao Wei, a cycling enthusiast with eight years of riding experience.

Nowadays, as more people turn to cycling for fitness, stress relief, and social connection, the humble bicycle has evolved far beyond its traditional role as a mere mode of transportation.

In Xingtai, a city renowned for its bicycle manufacturing industry, the local government is charting a new course, working to shape a distinctive urban identity as a "City of Bicycles".

This year, Xingtai launched an initiative to integrate cycling with wellness and tourism. So far, more than 50 cycle-friendly tourism routes have been developed, each blending physical activity with the local culture and lifestyle.

Some routes highlight revolutionary history while others combine cycling with traditional health practices such as herbal therapy and tai chi-themed parks, transforming simple rides into immersive cultural experiences.

Data show that the return rate of tourists participating in cycling tours reached 35 percent, significantly higher than that of traditional sightseeing tours.

"Each cycling route is carefully designed with both safety and scenic value in mind, combining public participation with professional competitions, and blending health, leisure and culture," says Guo Qingbo, deputy director of the Xingtai Sports Bureau.

The city's vibrant cycling culture is also evident in the rising number of local club members.

According to Wang Zhenping, general manager of a cycling club in Xingtai, the club has registered over 30,000 members since its founding in 2008. In the first five months of this year, more than 3,000 new members joined.

"Many families are joining together, which reflects a new trend in people's health awareness and consumption habits," Wang says.

Xingtai is also tapping into the potential of cycling competitions, projecting the city not only as a venue for races but also as a showcase of urban vitality.

In May, the city hosted multiple large-scale cycling events that attracted hundreds of professional and amateur riders from across the country.

Such events are driving the rise of a new "cycling economy", boosting consumption in sectors such as sports equipment, wellness services, tourism, dining, and lodging.

Statistics show that cycling tourists spend an average of 2.3 times more than ordinary visitors, with over 60 percent of that spending going toward gear upgrades and health-related services.

Xingtai's ambition to become a cycling capital is backed by a solid industrial foundation. With bicycle manufacturing dating back to the 1970s, it remains one of the city's key industries.

Today, Xingtai is home to over 4,500 bicycle producers, with an annual output of 20 million adult bicycles and 80 million children's bicycles.

China's cycling boom is part of the country's broader efforts to build itself into a leading sporting nation. With its wide accessibility and eco-friendly appeal, cycling has emerged as one of the fastest-growing forms of public exercise.

According to the General Administration of Sport of China, the number of people who regularly engage in physical exercise nationwide rose from 360 million in 2014 to 550 million in 2023, with the proportion of the population participating in sports increasing from 26 percent to 39 percent.

Official data also show that China's sports industry reached a total output of nearly 3.7 trillion yuan ($515.86 billion) in 2023, reflecting strong momentum in sectors such as sporting goods manufacturing, outdoor events and health services. Cities like Xingtai are riding this wave by aligning local development with national sports policies.

Currently, as China's bicycle market shifts toward premium models, manufacturers in Xingtai are seizing the opportunity to upgrade.

Efforts are underway to strengthen the industrial chain and promote the rapid shift of the bicycle industry toward the middle and high-end market, according to a local official.

Xinhua