by Xinhua writers Tian Ying, Liu Weiwei

BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- With his arms slightly bent and body leaning into the turns, Yuan Lei skillfully shifted his weight to maintain balance as his motorcycle glided through the winding mountain roads, the roar of the engine and rush of the wind only deepening the quiet in his mind.

"Riding demands complete focus, which allows me to clear my mind," said Yuan, a 43-year-old college professor in Beijing. "Free from any confines or barriers, I feel truly connected to nature on a motorcycle."

Yuan is a seasoned motorcyclist who purchased his first Kawasaki motorcycle in 2016. Every two weeks, he hits the road amid the towering mountains north of Beijing and goes on long-distance trips across the country once or twice a year.

Yuan is part of a growing community of motorcyclists in China who see riding not just as a mode of transportation, but as a lifestyle to be fully embraced. With motorcycling often requiring a substantial upfront investment and sparking a deep sense of wanderlust, this rising trend has unlocked considerable potential for consumption.

To begin with, buying a motorcycle involves a significant investment. Entry-level models on the market typically range from 20,000 yuan (about 2,775 U.S. dollars) to 30,000 yuan, while imported premium brands like Ducati and BMW can cost several hundred thousand yuan or more.

"It becomes even more expensive when you consider safety gear, travel costs, and aftermarket accessories," said Jiang Xun, a 37-year-old enthusiast and a motorcycle store operator in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province.

Despite the high costs, the number of motorcycle enthusiasts has continued to grow. Jiang sees new faces every time he attends rider meetups. He estimates that the motorcyclist population grows by about 10 percent annually, with the majority of newcomers being young people aged 20 to 35. This surge in enthusiasm has driven an increase in the production and sales of motorcycles across China.

According to statistics from the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle, in 2024, the production and sales volume of motorcycles in China reached over 19.97 million and 19.92 million, respectively, both showing growth. In the first two months of this year, the figures were approximately 2.46 million and 2.52 million, reflecting year-on-year increases of 16.96 percent and 16.21 percent, respectively.

Jiang's firsthand experiences speak volumes. "At our peak, my shop sold 500 to 600 units annually," Jiang recalled. "Even when demand dipped slightly, we still managed to sell over 300 units last year."

Data from the Tmall new life research institute shows that the motorcycle market on Tmall, an e-commerce platform -- encompassing complete vehicles, equipment and aftermarket services -- surpassed the 10-billion-yuan mark in 2022.

Motorcycles made their way into the lives of urban Chinese in the 1980s along with the reform and opening up. However, motorcycles have come a long way in recent years to reemerge as a popular vehicle choice, thanks to the gradual relaxation of regulations.

Beijing imposed restrictions on motorcycles in 1985 due to the pollution and traffic chaos they brought, prompting other cities to follow suit. Starting from 2010, these blanket prohibitions were gradually lifted in some cities, replaced by a more targeted approach to regulating the use of motorcycles.

In recent years, the Ministry of Public Security has introduced a slew of measures to further relax restrictions, including raising the age limit for licensing to 70 and allowing riders to apply for licenses outside their provinces of residence.

Apart from boosting the purchase of motorcycles and gear, motorcycle riding as a lifestyle has driven demand for hospitality, catering, and other leisure-related services.

A leisure industry centering on motorcycle culture has emerged, noted Hu Ming, a researcher at the postdoctoral practice base of Jiangnan Rural Commercial Bank in Jiangsu Province.

A new business has even emerged from this trend. While cruising along popular winding roads tucked away in Beijing's mountains, riders may find themselves "ambushed" by photographers at nearly every bend available for parking.

These amateur photographers capture stylish poses of motorcyclists through their lenses and sell the snapshots to riders via a photo stock app.

Shi, 51, started his roadside café and began taking snapshots of passing cyclists and motorcyclists last year in Beijing.

On his landing page of the photo stock app, stunning images of motorcyclists performing the iconic knee dragging or knee down move immediately capture attention. He mentions that he sells up to 18 photos over a weekend, each priced at 10 yuan, while noting that he is still a novice in the business.

"Today's motorcyclists are no longer just seeking speed and thrills; they embrace motorcycling as a lifestyle and a canvas for personal expression," said Chen Sining, organizer of a Nanjing-based motorcycle club.

Yuan is eagerly anticipating his next motorcycle road trip, as he was exhilarated by his previous experiences of "riding gradually into the breathtaking scenery, rather than just engaging in sightseeing." ■