As Chinese cities grow more congested, e-bikes have emerged as a popular, efficient and (slightly more) ecofriendly means of transportation. For years now, I’ve been a huge proponent of hopping onto an e-bike as a fun, practical yet sometimes stressful way to navigate urban life; one that also comes with its own set of challenges.
Chinese cities are expanding; as they are, they’re revealing a blend of ancient history, modern architecture and hidden pockets of green space, all waiting to be explored. For many, e-bikes offer the perfect blend of convenience and freedom to discover both the bustling city and its serene outskirts. Strap your helmet on and join me as I dive into the joy of riding through Nanjing’s vibrant cityscapes and venturing into nature, highlighting the unexpected wonders you can uncover when exploring on two wheels.
The pulse of Chinese cities such as Nanjing is felt strongest when you’re moving through them. On an e-bike, you become part of the ebb and flow; gliding past glittering skyscrapers, traditional alleyways (oooh there’s a smoky drool-inducing BBQ stand down there!) and chaotic street markets, all at your pace.
Unlike a car or even public transportation, e-bikes provide the freedom to stop, take a detour, and uncover the city’s hidden gems. Gone are the predictable paths of the metro lines and taxis, you’ve escaped that dreary and maze-like Xinjiekou station. You might now stumble upon a family-run dumpling or duck-blood soup restaurant tucked away down a quiet alley or street. You might even find yourself passing a local art installation that you’ve missed passing by in a Didi or even a hidden temple or shrine that isn’t on the tourist map.
Every corner becomes an opportunity to discover something new on an e-bike.
E-bikes are a much more immersive experience; rather than being stuck behind glass windows, you can now hear the buzz of conversations passing by. Smell that fresh baozi (if you’re up and about early enough) from street vendors and feel the rhythm of daily life unfolding around you. It’s urban exploration in its purest form.
Driving away from the urban and inner city exploration, we have the green escape. For those seeking to disconnect from the intensity of city life, e-bikes offer an easy escape from the urban jungle and sometime that ability to reconnect with nature. Chinese cities, such as our very own Nanjing, though bustling, are often surrounded by serene parks, lakes and historical places of interest that offer a perfect weekend or day trip retreat away without the hassle of long-distance travel.
I’m very fortunate to live and work in the south of the city, meaning that some of Nanjing’s beautiful natural sports are easy to reach by e-bike. In the north, you can take a leisurely ride to places such as Purple Mountain, where ancient pagodas, meandering hiking trails and peaceful vistas await.
The quiet(er) roads that lead out of the city offer a stark contrast to the traffic jams of downtown Gulou District and give you that much-needed chance to slow down.
I often find that on my e-bike, even a few kilometres outside the city can feel like a different world.
Parks or mountainous areas like Niushoushan, Qixia, and Fangshan are perfect for a day trip, offering winding paths, calm waters and nature, and shady picnic spots. All of these are accessibly and easily reachable by e-bikes.
One of the biggest benefits of owning an e-bike is that ability, that allowance, to explore at your own pace, stopping whenever a scenic view catches your eye.
We’re very fortunate here in Nanjing. One of the joys of living here is that nature isn’t as far away as you might think. The south capital’s many urban landscapes are peppered with parks, riverside paths and bike-friendly green belts that allow you to experience a peaceful side of city life.
The Yangtze River, the Qinhuai River and Nanjing’s many other waterways are lined with cycling and running paths, which e-bikes seemingly glide through with ease; just remember to stop and take in the views on either side of the water.
What makes exploring on an e-bike so special is the way it allows you to control the experience.
You don’t have to worry about missing the bus or being stuck in traffic, which I think we can all agree usually happens when you’ve got somewhere to be and the traffic (and the world) seems to come to a grinding halt. On an e-bike, you move with the city’s energy or you can veer off into tranquil areas, all on your own terms and you’re never locked into that rigid route.
I often feel that those spontaneous detours are the best part, whether it’s exploring that street market that you hadn’t planned to visit (or you had no idea it even existed!) or just simply deciding to extend your ride into the evening just because that sunset is perfect.
Just remember, fully charge that e-bike battery otherwise, that romantic ride into the sunset is less “Easy Rider” and more “The Hills Have Eyes”; the darkness slowly encroaching in, not a soul or streetlight in sight, the phone battery also perilously low and wait, what was that noise?
