Shanghai man kayaks to work, stirs debate

A man in Shanghai who kayaks to and from work recently made the headlines in local media and stirred up a debate over safety issues and the use of the waterways.

The man, surnamed Li, has paddled between his home and workplace in Pudong New Area on 44 occasions over the past few months.

He claimed that a single trip takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, seven times longer than the time needed to drive the 6 km to work. He added that he only kayaks to work when the water conditions permit.

Li first started sharing videos on Douyin showing his kayaking endeavors online in August 2023, and soon received numerous comments regarding the legality of the act. In response, Li explained that 95 percent of the waterways he uses are not shipping lanes.

In July 2022, a Beijing resident also became the center of attention when he used a kayak to commute in the city's waterways.

Urban rivers and lakes in Beijing, except seven headwaters regions like Miyun Reservoir, are open water areas where there are no bans on swimming and kayaking, according to the water management department of the city. Though citizens are not encouraged to do water sports in open waters without official permission and guidance as the waterways are used for flood control and management.

Instead of simply denying people's access to public waters, cities need to better the use of river channels while ensuring citizen's safety, Wang Jing, associate professor at Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, told the Shanghai Morning Post.

Li, who has shed 13 kilograms since he started kayaking to and from work, said he plans to continue what he does.

Liang Ziyin contributed to this story.