Shared Bikes & E-Bikes
Shared bikes are one of the best ways to get around Chinese cities. They are cheap, convenient, and available on almost every street corner. This chapter explains how to unlock, ride, and pay for them using Alipay or WeChat -- no separate app required.
11.1 How Shared Bikes Work
China uses a dockless bike-sharing system. Bikes are parked on sidewalks throughout the city, and you unlock them by scanning a QR code. Here is the complete process from start to finish.
Find a Bike
Walk along any sidewalk and you will see rows of shared bikes parked neatly. They are easy to spot by their distinctive colors -- blue, yellow, or green. You can also open the Alipay or Meituan app to see a map of nearby bikes.
Scan the QR Code
Open Alipay (or the relevant app) and scan the QR code printed on the bike's frame or lock mechanism. The code is usually on the rear fender or the handlebar lock. For Hello Bikes, you can use Alipay directly.
Unlock and Ride
After scanning, the lock will pop open automatically (you will hear a click). If the bike has a physical lock on the rear wheel, slide it open. Hop on and ride to your destination. Adjust the seat height if needed -- most bikes have a quick-release lever.
Park in a Designated Zone
When you arrive, park the bike in a designated parking zone. These are marked on the app map and usually indicated by painted lines or signs on the sidewalk. Parking outside these zones may result in a fine.
Lock the Bike
Slide the physical lock on the rear wheel shut, or tap "End Ride" in the app. Some newer bikes lock automatically when you park in a designated zone. Make sure the ride has ended before walking away.
Payment is Automatic
The fare is automatically deducted from your Alipay or WeChat Pay account. No cash needed, no extra steps. You will receive a notification showing the ride duration and amount charged.
Good to know: The entire process from scan to unlock takes about 5 seconds. Shared bikes are one of the most seamless payment experiences in China -- once you are set up with Alipay, riding is effortless.
11.2 Major Brands
There are three main bike-sharing companies in China. Each has its own color scheme and preferred app. Here is what you need to know about each one.
Hello Bike
哈啰单车 hāluō dānchē
How to Unlock
Scan with Alipay -- no separate app needed
Bike Color
Blue
Availability
Widespread in all major cities
Best For
Foreign travelers using Alipay
Why we recommend it: Hello Bike works directly through Alipay, which you will already have set up for payments. No need to download an extra app or create a separate account. Just scan and ride.
Meituan Bike
美团单车 měituán dānchē
How to Unlock
Meituan app or WeChat mini-program
Bike Color
Yellow
Availability
Very common, especially in tier-1 and tier-2 cities
Best For
Users who already have WeChat Pay
DiDi Bike
青桔单车 qīngjú dānchē
How to Unlock
DiDi app or WeChat mini-program
Bike Color
Green / Orange
Availability
Growing presence in major cities
Best For
Users who already use DiDi for ride-hailing
11.3 Pricing
Shared bikes are remarkably affordable. Here is what you can expect to pay.
Standard Bike
¥1-2
per 30 minutes
~$0.14-0.28 USD
E-Bike
¥2-5
per ride
~$0.28-0.70 USD
Monthly Pass
¥15-30
per month
Unlimited rides
For short trips: Monthly passes are not worth it for most travelers. At ¥1-2 per ride, even riding twice a day for a week costs only ¥14-28 -- less than or equal to the monthly pass price. Stick with pay-per-ride.
Payment: All payments are automatic through Alipay or WeChat Pay. You never need to handle cash or tap a card. The fare is calculated based on ride duration and deducted when you lock the bike.
11.4 Rules & Etiquette
Following these rules keeps you safe, avoids fines, and helps keep the bike-sharing system working well for everyone.
Park in Designated Areas Only
Always park in zones marked on the app map. Illegal parking results in an automatic fine of ¥5-20 charged to your account. The app uses GPS to verify where you locked the bike. Look for painted white lines or metal racks on the sidewalk.
Stay Within the Service Area
Each bike company has a defined service zone, shown as a colored area on the app map. If you ride outside this zone and lock the bike, you will be charged a retrieval fee of ¥20-50. Check the map before riding to the outskirts of a city.
Do Not Ride on Sidewalks
Ride on the road or in designated bike lanes. Most Chinese cities have dedicated bike lanes separated from car traffic, making cycling quite safe.
Wear a Helmet on E-Bikes
Some shared e-bikes come with a helmet attached in a basket or holder. In many cities, helmets are legally required for e-bike riders. Use one if available.
One Person per Bike
Shared bikes are designed for a single rider. Do not carry passengers -- it is unsafe and against the rules.
11.5 Practical Tips
Small things that make a big difference when using shared bikes in China.
Inspect the Bike Before Unlocking
Take 10 seconds to check the bike before you scan. This saves you from being stuck with a broken bike mid-ride.
Brakes
Squeeze both levers
Tires
Check for flatness
Seat
Adjust to your height
Chain
Check it is intact
Use the Phone Holder
Many shared bikes have a small phone holder mounted on the handlebar. This is incredibly useful for navigation -- pop your phone in and follow your map app while you ride. If the holder is broken or missing, hold your phone securely or pull over to check directions.
Beat the Rush Hour Rush
During morning (7:30-9:00) and evening (17:30-19:00) rush hours, bikes near metro stations get taken quickly. Walk one block away from the station to find available bikes. Alternatively, start your ride 15 minutes before or after peak times.
Report Broken Bikes
If you find a bike that looks damaged, do not unlock it. Instead, use the app to report it as broken. You will not be charged, and the company will send someone to repair it. Reporting helps keep the fleet in good shape for everyone.
Quick Reference
¥1-2
Per 30 min ride
5 sec
Scan to unlock
3
Major brands
Alipay
Best for Hello Bike
The Bottom Line
Shared bikes are one of the most enjoyable and practical aspects of traveling in China. They are cheap, everywhere, and with Alipay already on your phone, you are just a scan away from your next ride. Grab a Hello Bike, explore the side streets, and see the city at your own pace.