How to Use China’s HelloRide Bike Sharing Service – Complete Guide to Renting Shared Bikes

When walking through Chinese cities, you’ll notice colorful bicycles lined up neatly or scattered along the streets. These are part of China’s rapidly growing bike-sharing (rental bicycle) services. Today, we’ll provide a detailed explanation of “哈啰 (HelloRide/HelloBike),” one of China’s major bike-sharing services, based on actual usage experience.

For foreign tourists, first-time use might seem challenging, but with this article as your guide, you should be able to use HelloBike smoothly. Let’s begin the experience of cycling through Chinese cities with ease!

What is “哈啰单车 (HelloBike)”?

“哈啰单车 (HelloBike)” is one of China’s major bike-sharing services. Born as part of China’s transportation revolution, this service was founded in Shanghai in 2016 and is now available in hundreds of cities across China.

HelloBike is characterized by its distinctive blue and white design. You’ll recognize them immediately when you see them on the streets. While they also provide electric bicycle (E-Bike) services, this article focuses on their regular bicycle service.

HelloBike has been engaged in fierce competition with rivals like ofo and Mobike within China, but particularly focuses on expansion in second and third-tier cities (regional hub cities), providing services across a wide range of areas.

Service Areas

HelloBike operates in over 300 cities across China, covering everything from major cities to regional towns. Major service cities include:

Tier-1 Cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen

Tier-2 Cities: Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuhan

Tourist Cities: Guilin, Lijiang, Dali, Xiamen, Qingdao

Particularly in Xi’an, numerous bicycles are deployed around major tourist attractions such as the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, city walls, and Bell Tower area – places frequently visited by tourists. They can also be easily found around Chengdu’s Panda Base and Hangzhou’s West Lake area.

In regional cities where public transportation may not be well-developed, HelloBike is often available, making it a very convenient service for tourists.

HelloBike Features

Extremely Affordable and Highly Mobile

HelloBike’s greatest appeal is its overwhelming convenience and low cost. For example, in Xi’an, 15 minutes of use costs just 1.5 yuan (about 30 cents) – surprisingly affordable. Other cities offer similar pricing, with even major cities like Beijing and Shanghai charging just a few yuan per use.

They also offer cost-effective plans like “multi-ride passes” and “monthly passes,” allowing even greater savings for frequent users. For example, a 7-ride pass can be purchased for 6 yuan (about $1.20), making it possible to use the service for just 0.86 yuan (about 17 cents) per ride.

No Fixed Ports – High Flexibility

One of HelloBike’s major features is its dockless system, which doesn’t require fixed stations (ports). This means you can borrow bicycles almost anywhere and return them almost anywhere within designated return areas (excluding some no-parking zones).

Since bicycles are parked throughout the city, you can find one whenever you need it – a great advantage. When you reach your destination, simply park it at the nearest available return spot to complete your return. This high level of flexibility is particularly suitable for short-distance travel and “last mile” transportation from the nearest station to your final destination.

How to Use

1. Download and Set Up Alipay

To use HelloBike, you first need to download the 支付宝 (Alipay) app. Alipay is China’s electronic payment service and is a convenient app that can be used not only for bike-sharing but for various payments during your stay in China.

Foreigners can easily register, and credit cards issued outside mainland China are also accepted. Top-ups can start from small amounts – 100 yuan (about $20) should be sufficient.

2. Install HelloBike App within Alipay

There are two ways to use HelloBike: downloading the dedicated app “哈啰出行” or using the “哈啰出行” mini-program within the Alipay app. For foreigners, using it within the Alipay app is relatively easier.

Open the Alipay app, tap “More” or the equivalent section, search for “HelloBike” or “哈啰” in the app search, and install it.

3. Unlocking a Bicycle

To borrow a bicycle, scan the QR code on the bike or manually enter the bicycle number.

Bicycle unlocking procedure:

1. Find a blue and white HelloBike on the street

2. Use the app’s scan function to scan the QR code on the bicycle’s handlebars or seat area

3. When scanning is successful, you’ll hear the bicycle lock automatically release

4. Once unlocked, you can start using it immediately

If scanning doesn’t work well, you can also manually enter the identification number on the bicycle into the app.

4. Using the Bicycle

Once unlocked, you can freely use the bicycle. China basically follows right-hand traffic (opposite to countries like the UK and Japan), but otherwise you can ride with almost the same feeling. Many places have dedicated bicycle lanes, allowing relatively safe riding.

5. Returning the Bicycle

When you reach your destination, park the bicycle in an appropriate location and perform the return procedure.

Return procedure:

1. Choose where to park the bicycle (check acceptable areas in the app, or park alongside other bicycles already parked there)

2. Perform lock and return operations in the app (tap the “Return” or “Complete” button on the app screen)

3. When return is complete, the fee will be displayed in the app, so make payment using Alipay

Return locations have certain restrictions, and particularly “no-parking areas” are displayed in red on the app’s map. Parking in these areas may result in additional charges, so be careful.

Usage Precautions

Since China’s traffic conditions differ from many other countries, there are several precautions:

Right-hand traffic: China basically follows right-hand traffic, which may be opposite to your home country.

Bicycle lanes: When dedicated lanes are available, use them

Heavy traffic roads: Be especially careful on roads with heavy bus and car traffic

Night riding: Consider additional safety measures like wearing bright clothing

Bicycle condition: If the bicycle isn’t working properly, return it immediately and use a different one

Return operation: Simply locking doesn’t complete the return – always perform return operations and payment in the app

Actual Usage Experience

When I visited Xi’an, I used HelloBike to get around the city center. Since subway stations were farther apart than expected, it took about 15 minutes to walk between stations, but with HelloBike I could arrive in about 5 minutes. Also, I could stop at sights and noodle shops along the way, enjoying tourism with great mobility.

During morning rush hour, the subway was crowded, but with bicycles I could avoid crowds and travel comfortably. What was particularly impressive was that by using the same transportation method as locals, I didn’t feel out of place as a tourist and could experience Chinese daily life more deeply. Also, the city scenery viewed while cycling had a different charm from what you see through bus or subway windows.

Summary

HelloRide is a very convenient service for transportation during travel or stays in China. As an affordable, flexible, and environmentally friendly transportation option, it’s definitely worth trying at least once.

While initial use might be somewhat challenging, once you get used to it, you won’t want to let it go. The experience of cycling through Chinese cities just like locals will surely become a special travel memory.