Tourists will be able to travel around Chongming Island by rented bicycles beginning the middle of next month.

More than 700 cruise bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes will be available to tourists at four scenic spots on the island: the Dongping National Forest Park, Qianwei Ecological Village, Yingzhou Park and the West Coast Wetland. 

By May, plans call for 18 rental sites, covering most tourist resorts and commercial areas, said the Yimidanche Travel Service Co Ltd, the service's developer.

"We will set up a small wood hut at the renting sites that will be rather eye-catching," said Shi Yong, director of the company.

The company has designed several routes for bicyclists: short, medium and long-distance, ranging from jaunts  that can be made in an hour or two to serious rides exceeding 25 kilometers.

Company officials said the rental prices are still under consideration.