Shanghai’s ‘Forever’ Bike Café Blends Nostalgia and Sustainability

In Shanghai, where modernity often overshadows history, a unique café marries retro cycling culture with today’s sustainability ethos. Here, nothing is ordinary: lights hang from repurposed tires, orders are taken by ringing old bicycle bells, and walls display handlebars and saddles as art. This is more than just a coffee shop—it’s a love letter to biking, built almost entirely from reclaimed bike parts.

This café in Shanghai’s Lanhua Road offers cyclists a 50% discount on everything—from coffee and cake to bicycles—just for riding in. The entire space took around eight months to design, with impromptu ideas like the bell doorbell becoming signature features.

A Bicycle Brand’s Coffee Experiment

Nestled on Lanhua Road near Century Park, the Forever Bicycle Café isn’t just a themed hangout. It’s also an official retail space for the legendary Chinese bicycle brand Forever. Founded in an era when bikes were essential household items, the brand remains active today, with newer models like the bamboo-framed “Bamahorse” and various two-wheelers on display. The café’s location was chosen not just for foot traffic but for the area’s established cycling culture.

Why a Café, Not Another Bike Shop?

According to Chen Shan, chairman of Shanghai Forever Bicycle Co. Ltd. and the café’s owner, the decision to open a café instead of another traditional bike store was deliberate. “When we first scouted the location, we felt the vibe was perfect for riders. But another bike shop would have blended in. We wanted something with more character,” he explained. The result? A place where cycling enthusiasts can relax, recharge, and connect over coffee and bicycles.

An Eco-Conscious, Ride-Friendly Space

Every detail in the café reflects a commitment to reuse and sustainability. From the wooden furnishings in light brown hues to the signage bearing the classic “Forever” name, the space exudes vintage charm. Chen Shan noted that the design process involved spontaneous creativity—he came up with ideas like using a bike bell as the service bell during the build. The café also incentivizes green transportation: any customer who arrives by bicycle gets a 50% discount on coffee, food, or even bike purchases.

Lanhua Road: A Hub for Cycling Culture

The café is located in a part of Shanghai that has become a magnet for international and domestic cycling brands. The surrounding area has developed into a community hub for riders, bolstered by its proximity to Century Park—a popular spot for leisurely rides. The café fits naturally into this ecosystem, offering both a retail experience and a social venue for cyclists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Forever Bicycle Café different from other bike shops or cafés?

The Forever Bicycle Café combines a fully operational bike showroom with a coffee shop, all set in a space decorated with upcycled bicycle parts like tire lights and bell doorbells. It’s both a retail space for the Forever bike brand and a community café offering 50% discounts to customers who ride their bikes there.

Where is the Forever Bicycle Café located?

The café is located on Lanhua Road in Shanghai, close to Century Park, a popular area for cycling and home to a growing cluster of international and local bike brands.

What kinds of bicycles does the café sell?

The café showcases newer Forever models such as the bamboo-bodied “Bamahorse” bicycle, along with other standard two-wheelers. It serves as both a showroom and a place to learn about the brand’s evolution from classic to contemporary bikes.

Do you need to ride a bike to get the discount?

Yes. The café offers a 50% discount on all purchases—including coffee, desserts, and bicycles—for customers who arrive by bicycle, encouraging eco-friendly travel.

How long did it take to design the café?

The interior design and decoration process took approximately eight months. Many decorative ideas, such as using a bicycle bell as a service bell, were conceived spontaneously during the build.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cycling Cafés

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