Flying Pigeon Bicycles: Embracing Innovation While Honoring Tradition
TIANJIN, March 17 – At the Flying Pigeon Cycle Manufacture Company in Tianjin, a display of vintage bicycles tells the story of a brand with a rich heritage. Known for producing China’s first domestically made bicycle, Flying Pigeon has been an essential part of many households over the years.
However, the company is not resting on its past. Today, Flying Pigeon is reinventing itself by integrating smart technology into their bicycles. By combining flexible sensors, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), they are transforming these bikes into smart tools for health management, moving beyond mere transportation.
“To stay relevant, our traditional bicycles need to adapt,” said Han Guiyou, Chairman of Flying Pigeon.
In collaboration with Tianjin University, the company has created systems that track heart rates and pedaling speed in real-time. This means that bicycles are starting to “understand” their riders’ physical conditions.
Support from government policies is driving this change. As part of China’s efforts to rejuvenate traditional brands, the local government introduced a set of policies in 2023 to foster innovation in established companies like Flying Pigeon.
With incentives like rewards for technological advancements and collaborations with universities, Flying Pigeon is embarking on long-term projects focused on enhancing performance, such as reducing wind resistance and improving seating positions.
Innovation has also accelerated their development process. Thanks to the National Supercomputer Center in Tianjin, they’ve reduced the time needed to create new racing frames from several years to just eight months.
“The supercomputing center helps us refine our designs, giving us better prototypes to work with,” Han explained.
These innovative efforts are paying off. In 2025, Flying Pigeon achieved sales of 4.5 million bikes, with revenue increasing by nearly 40 percent from the previous year.
This success reflects a broader trend in Tianjin, where over 70 traditional brands are experiencing revitalization through innovation. In 2025, time-honored businesses in the city collectively saw a revenue growth of 10.3 percent and an impressive 21.5 percent increase in profits.
“Consumers today want more than just high-tech features; they seek a connection to culture and emotions,” Han said.
As China focuses on high-end, intelligent, and eco-friendly manufacturing, Flying Pigeon is exploring new sports markets and forming partnerships with other traditional brands to diversify their product offerings.
