On Global Car-Free Day (22 September), Queen’s alumnus Dr Zhidong Cui joined the University’s celebration from Changchun, China, reflecting on his cycling experiences, family life in Belfast, and the special romance of riding together along the River Lagan.
On reading Queen’s University news about a cycling event in Belfast for the World Car-Free Day, it immediately brought back memories of cycling along the River Lagan with Molly and Liam. Belfast’s changeable weather often gave us sunshine, rain and sometimes even double rainbows. Those windy, rainy and rainbow-filled rides remain among my warmest family memories.
I am far from a professional cyclist and I have never worried about whether a bike is a road bike or a mountain bike. As long as the wheels roll, the journey can begin.
I came to Changchun to study at Jilin University in 1995 and have lived here ever since. After thirty years, I thought I knew the city well. Cycling proved me wrong.
Riding slowly with the breeze, I discovered places I had never noticed before: Nanxi Cultural and Tourism Town, the Yitong River walkways, Light and Shadow Island, Moon Bay and North Lake Park. Places that were once unknown to me suddenly came alive with greenery, architecture, children’s laughter, basketball courts and evening lights.
I used to cycle alone to enjoy a rare sense of freedom and peace. Now, I prefer to ride with my wife Molly and our son Liam, which gives us another kind of happiness – the simple pleasure of discovering places together, which also reminds me that seeing a familiar world through someone else’s eyes can make it new again.
The romance of cycling crosses distance and borders. Today, I ride beside the Yitong River in Changchun; years ago, my family and I rode beside the Lagan in Northern Ireland. The places are different, but the feeling is the same: the breeze, the movement, the freedom and the joy of discovering something new.
Perhaps we do not need perfect equipment or a perfect plan. Sometimes, we simply need the courage to change our pace, choose a new road and start again. Then, wherever we are, we can still chase the wind, embrace the light, and discover a new version of life.
Author: Zhidong Cui
Editor: Liang Wang
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Fantastic to see this article and what an enjoyable read.
Thank you for raising awareness on this important day.
Belfast is now part of the Global Car Free Day family 🚲🌍😍🌳
Thank you, Nathan, for the comment and for the great event at Queen’s. Hope to see more join the initiative at Queen’s and beyond.