What’s the temperature of the seat of a shared bicycle in scorching days? Over 60°C! The source from the city’s authority of administrative law enforcement reveals that the seats of those bicycles have now been clad in silver-colored seat covers at large. Test results said the cover would help drop the temperature by about 20°C.

According to the Public Rail Utilities Center, a summer-day bicycle ride would, if scarcely clad, result in a “slow burn” to the rider’s buttocks, although the moment the rider hops on the seat, he/she might not feel that burning hot.  

So what to do to mitigate the searing heat? A joint research by the authorities and bicycle supplier offers a conclusion that they have to swap out the seats.

Now, in the help of the city’s urban management authority, “cool seat pads” that resist the heat and can help drop the seat temperature with the reflection of sunlight have been equipped on some shared bicycles. The pads made of polymer materials are totally energy saving. They are deliberately shaped to cover the seats tightly and are waterproof against rainy days. The pads aimed to make soothing rides are well received among the shared bicycle companies.

The pads can now be found on 40,000 Hello bicycles and 12,000 Qingju bicycles, and are being installed on 20,000 more Meituan bicycles and another 8,000 Qingju bicycles. “We will continue to get it improved according to users’ feedback, and we believe it as a move to help build a greener, more eco-friendly city,” said a bicycle company. 

The city’s urban management authority also calls for such rides in a manner for public order. The pads are good news for citizens, and thus everyone is required to keep our environment safe and well regulated.