ON Saturday, Shenzhen Bus Group launched eight new weekend and public-holiday-only lines tailored for outdoor enthusiasts — four for cyclists and four for hikers. Services are available by group-charter booking only.

The cycling routes are Route 1 (between Qianhaiwan Metro Station and Dameisha Beach), Route 2 (between Tangwei Metro Station and Fenghuang Mountain), Route 3 (between the Liantang Checkpoint and the Shifeng Industrial Zone in Guangming District), and Route 4 (between Guangming Fun Farm and the Zhenqian Mansion Bus Terminus).

Buses on the cycling routes are fitted with wheel-clamp racks lined with soft rubber to protect bike frames. Drivers and attendants assist with loading and unloading to speed boarding. A bus can accommodate a maximum of 10 bikes.

Extra floor space lets riders change clothes or adjust gear, and many say they can nap on the return trip instead of battling traffic.

For the hiking routes, two connect Tangwei and Airport East stations with Fenghuang Mountain, and a third links Yantian Road Station with Tanxian Temple in Longgang District.

Fares are distance-based, with cycling-route prices ranging from 20  yuan (US$2.8) to 30 yuan and hiking-route prices around 3 yuan.

(SD News)