The Chinese Trading in Their Jobs for Bikes

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Amid changing attitudes toward career breaks, unemployed young people in Shanghai are increasingly riding bikes as a way to relax a nd reconnec t. This summer, 30-year-old Tang Yanpeng swapped the rat race for bike racing. Disillusioned with her management position at a Shanghai car manufacturing company, where she was earning around 15,000 yuan ($2,120) a month, Tang decided to take a career break and now spends more time embarking on cycling adventures. A die-hard bike enthusiast, she once rode 318 kilometers in a single day, pulled an all-nighter to scale a near-2-kilometer ascent, and has competed in at least 10 competitions. In recent years, interest in cycling has boomed among young people in Shanghai who are temporarily without work, either by design or misfortune. Amid an uncertain future, many say the sport offers a way to rediscover their passion for exploration and provides opportunities for self-improvement. According to a 2023 industry report by cycling information platf ………………………………