How to use shared bikes in China?

Bike sharing not only promotes eco-friendly travel, but is also known for its convenience and flexibility. Currently, popular options in the market include Meituan’s yellow bikes, HelloBike’s blue bikes, and Qingju’s green bikes. In this guide, we’ll take Meituan bikes as an example to show you how to easily use shared bikes via the WeChat “Scan” feature.

To get started, you’ll need to complete a quick identity verification using your passport and bind a valid payment method. Payment options include linked bank cards, WeChat Pay, Alipay, or other supported methods.

Once verified, simply scan the QR code on the bike, unlock it, and you’re ready to ride.

Method 1: Scan with WeChat

1. Open WeChat and go to the “Discover” tab, then tap on “Scan.”

Alternatively, tap the "+" icon in the upper right corner of the main page, select “Scan,” and scan the QR code on the shared bike

Note: The QR code is usually located between the handlebars or under the seat. The number below the QR code is the bike's unique ID.

2. After scanning, you will be redirected to the Meituan mini program, and a service reminder will pop up

Read and confirm the rental price, then tap “Unlock.”

Once you hear the unlocking sound, your ride is ready to begin.

3. After your ride, make sure to park the bike at a designated parking area.

Use the scan function again to scan the bike's QR code and re-enter the Meituan mini program.

In the mini program, you can either tap the small square icon in the top right corner or use the map function to locate nearby parking spots.

Yellow bike icons indicate available bikes, and blue "P" icons mark official parking areas.

4. Once at a parking spot, follow the red prompt and tap “Enter,” then select “Return Bike.”

If you hear the lock click shut, your return is successful.

Note: Some older bikes may require you to manually lock them. In such cases, if the app doesn’t show a “l(fā)ock and return” button, locate the sliding latch under the seat and manually lock the bike.

Method 2: Use Meituan via WeChat Search

Search for “Meituan” in the WeChat search bar and open the Meituan mini program.

On the homepage, choose the cycling service, tap “Scan to Ride,” and scan the bike’s QR code.

Reminder: Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is turned on before using.

Method 3: Use the Meituan App

Download and install the Meituan App from your app store.

Open the app, go to the cycling service, tap “Scan to Ride,” and scan the QR code on the bike to start your ride.