Active transportation – whether through leisurely walks or eco-friendly cycling – has become an increasingly popular choice in Chinese cities.

Urban “slow-traffic systems,” defined as non-motorised networks prioritising walking and cycling, are expanding nationwide with locally tailored designs. These systems enhance urban livability while reducing environmental impact.

At dawn in Beijing, traffic on the Second Ring Road began to pick up. Nearby, 63-year-old Zhang Jianguo, who lives in Andingmen in Dongcheng district, started his morning exercise on a greenway along the road.

“This path makes both exercise and daily travel so much easier,” he said.

The 35.5-kilometre corridor, fully opened last year, connects parks, heritage sites, and commercial districts like an emerald ribbon encircling the city.

By 2024, walking and cycling accounted for 50.1 per cent of trips in Beijing, with bicycles representing 20 per cent. The city has constructed 60.6 kilometres of segregated bike lanes and widened 329.9 kilometres of existing routes.

“The optimal solution for short-distance travel and transit connections,” notes Wang Shuling of the Beijing Transport Institute. “They’re also vital for reducing transport emissions.”

Wang emphasises that well-planned systems – ensuring safety, continuity, and dedicated spaces for
pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles – boost overall urban mobility efficiency.

On Beijing’s first bicycle-only expressway (6.5 kilometres linking Huilongguan to Zhongguancun), commuters like Zhang report: “Travel time dropped from one hour to under 30 minutes. Dedicated lanes make cycling faster than buses and less stressful than driving.”

At 6:00 am in Nanchang, capital of east China’s Jiangxi province, cycling enthusiast Wang Qing set off from beneath the Yingxiong Bridge and pedalled along a greenway by the Ganjiang River.

“Previously, I cycled in the suburbs – now scenic routes like Fenghuangzhou Park and Qiushui Square are minutes from home,” he says. Honggutan District’s 28-kilometre integrated trail system – featuring rest stations and segregated paths – has transformed the riverside into an ecological retreat elevating residents’ quality of life.

Through interconnected trails, smart facilities, and open green spaces, Nanchang has unified parks, cultural landmarks, and wetlands into a cohesive “lifestyle belt” where citizens exercise amidst nature.

In Yuzhong district, Chongqing municipality in southwest China, a woman surnamed Chen took a short walk along a local slow-traffic system to reach Jiukengzi wet market.

“I used to take a big detour to buy groceries. Now it’s just a few steps away!” she said with a smile. In a mountainous city like Chongqing, walking has never been simple. Differences in elevation and winding roads mean public spaces are often scattered.

In recent years, Chongqing has fully tapped into its local topography to develop high-quality slow-traffic systems. Using the city’s signature hillside trails, it has linked communities, parks, schools, and metro stations into a network. To date, more than 840 kilometres of hillside trails have been built in the downtown area, forming a multi-functional system that is interconnected, convenient, efficient, and accessible to people of all ages.

In Chongqing’s Daijiaxiang, trails have even reshaped the community’s social and economic landscape. Along the winding stone steps, more than 40 cafes, cultural shops, and bookstores have sprung up, reviving the once quiet neighbourhood. With annual output exceeding ¥100 million (US$14.05 million), this is not only a commercial revival but also a community rebirth.

“Trails are not just pathways. They connect people’s daily routines, commercial activities, and cultural memories. Our goal is to revitalise communities through trails and promote integration through slow travel,” said Tang Baijun, director of Yuzhong district’s key project construction affairs centre.

Article courtesy of People’s Daily China.