In 1890, bicycles were imported to China and adapted for local use, becoming a vital mode of urban transport. This development coincided with rapid urbanization and modernization efforts in Chinese cities, providing an affordable and efficient means of mobility. The bicycle's integration into Chinese society played a crucial role in shaping transportation and social dynamics, influencing later movements for change and modernization.

The integration of the bicycle into Chinese urban transport in 1890 marked a significant cultural shift, symbolizing modernization and egalitarian movement. Poets like Xu Zhimo celebrated this new mode of transport in their works, using it as a metaphor for progress and the changing social landscape of early 20th-century China.