Green activists pedal around the world

Five years after 42-year-old Lai Likun began his global cycling tour in 2009 with less than 20 euros ($22.80) in his pocket and his ever-present green jacket he took on a partner. Zhang Hui, a university student in Beijing, persuaded Lai to accept her as a travel companion.

Now both wear green jackets to raise environmental awareness during their travels by bicycle to Southeast Asia, Australia and Brazil. On each leg of their trip, they start with no money and no plans.

Zhang and Lai, the owner of a small business in Guangdong province, are currently continuing their global excursion with a trip across Europe. After nearly 10 days of cycling in France, they arrived in Brussels on Feb 12. With only a one-month visa, they aim to bike through France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

"We hope somebody can help us extend our visa so we can cycle to more European countries this time," says Lai, a short, stout man who says he is good at boxing. He spoke during a stop in Brussels before the pair heads to the Netherlands.

Lai had covered more than 50,000 kilometers during his trip, and Belgium was the 31st country he has visited. He says two more years are needed to finish the pair's global cycling tour of 70,000 kilometers.

"Cycling and green jackets are relevant enough to remind people that environmental protection is urgent worldwide," says Lai.

Both believe Europe is the front-runner in environmental protection and are looking forward to meeting more friends in the Netherlands, which is famous for its widespread use of bicycles.

"We hope we are lucky to meet some people to extend our visa in the Netherlands so we can stay longer in Europe," says Zhang, a university student whose major is taekwondo.

Zhang learned of Lai's global cycling tour from the media and came away impressed. After winning her parents' agreement, Zhang joined Lai in 2014.

Zhang says she spent 37 days with Lai training in Southeast Asia before they embarked for Australia and Brazil.

She says Lai encountered a lot of danger during his solo trips.

"And he has managed to escape death several times," says Zhang.

When asked why they aren't seeking a large corporate sponsor and why they don't plan in advance, Zhang responds: "Our dream is to make the trip as challenging as possible".

Thus far, the trip has been full of adventures, hardship and at times, bad luck. It took three days for them to cycle from Paris to Brussels in the cold, raining weather, after which they ran out of food and couldn't get any help. In the freezing weather, Zhang says she quarreled with Lai, who almost lost his patience.

"But we do help each other along the way," says Lai.

The two have taken numerous photos and written copious diary entries, collecting stamps and updating their social media accounts along the way. They've done interviews each time they arrive in a major city or country.

Because they don't carry any money and aren't proficient in English, they rely on local Chinese residents for accommodations and food. They have also kept clear records of the assistance and donations they have received.

Lai says they aim to sponsor 100 charitable activities with the donations they have received. Thus far, more than 30 such events have already been organized.

"Our goal is clear: We want to hand down the love we have benefited from," says Lai.

Liu Jia contributed to this story.

(China Daily European Weekly 02/20/2015 page16)