practical · 5 May 2026

Bicycle Share Apps in China: Mobike, Hello Bike, and Meituan

Dockless bicycle share is widespread in Chinese cities and is genuinely useful for short urban journeys. Here is how the three main providers work, what they cost, and what foreign visitors need to know about using them.

China's dockless bicycle share is now dominated by three providers: Meituan Bike (yellow), Hello Bike (blue and green), and Didi Bike. No docking stations — bikes park anywhere within operating zones.

How It Works

Find a bike, scan the QR code on the handlebars with the app, ride, and re-lock at your destination. The app charges automatically: ¥1.5–2 per 15 minutes, or ¥15–25 for an unlimited monthly pass.

Payment for Foreign Visitors

As of 2025, foreign Visa and Mastercard holders can link their cards to Alipay International or WeChat Pay and use them for bicycle share. Hello Bike integrates with Alipay; Meituan Bike integrates with WeChat. Didi Bike is accessible through the DiDi Global app, which many foreign visitors already use.

Which Cities Work Well

Best in flat cities with good cycling infrastructure: Chengdu, Kunming, Xiamen, Hangzhou. Hilly cities like Chongqing are less practical.

For 0.5–5km journeys in Chinese cities, bicycle share is often faster than a taxi and more pleasant than the metro.