Chinese city forced to back pedal over night-time cycling after streets become gridlocked
Kaifeng wanted to cash in on a social media craze among students for nocturnal riding, but it became a victim of its own popularity
A historic Chinese city has urged cyclists to stay away after thousands of college students descended on it for a night-time ride.
Cities around China have been trying to lure visitors and cash in on the the craze for nocturnal cycling, but the city of Kaifeng in the central province of Henan has now told would-be visitors to stay away after footage of crowded roads and bike paths circulated on social media.
The craze began when college students in Zhengzhou, a city 50km (30 miles) away, posted an account of their ride between the two cities on social media.
This prompted officials in Kaifeng, which was the capital during the Northern Song (960-1127) dynasty, to urge more cyclists to visit the city by offering free entry to some local attractions.
But last Friday evening they slammed the brakes on the scheme after one of the main roads between the two cities became thronged with cyclists, bringing motor traffic to a standstill.
The authorities have now launched a crackdown on illegally parked bikes in the city centre and started staggering admission to some of the main local attractions. Traffic police in both Kaifeng and Zhengzhou also cordoned off some of the main cycle lanes until noon on Sunday.
