Xi`an + Motorbikes

is there a Motorbike-Ban in Xi`an? and if it is so, how strong do they force the law?

We called just a moment ago Xi'an traffic authority. Xi'an has a motorcycle ban inside the 3rd ring road and including 3rd ring itself.
They also mentioned that they have restrictions for motorcycles on Shaanxi express ways.

Maybe someone located in Xi'an can tell whether police enforce this ban. As I learned it costs you a 200 RMb and 3 points.

I'm not living there yet but spent a few weeks biking around there this summer.

Bikes are indeed banned on and inside the 3rd ring road, however it's not enforced too strictly between the 2nd and 3rd rings. I had a place to park my bike while i was there which was just outside the 1st ring (the old city wall). I rode in and out of the city everyday without problems, just making sure to avoid the big roads and never be stopped right in front of a red light. If the light is red, stop 20m before and wait there so that you can just run straight through when it turns green and the police won't stop you.

A local actually explained the deeper benefit of doing this: by waiting for the green light from far away, you are giving face to the policeman who is on the intersection. If you stop right in front of him, even if he doesn't care about you he has to come and stop you because you're right there and if he doesn't he's obviously not doing his job. If you fly through the green light he can say that he couldn't do anything about it, thus saving his face.

So inside the third ring isn't really cause for worry, but ideally it's best to avoid going inside the second ring.

FELIX
thanks for your valuable information. we just will stay two days in Xian. so shouldn't be too mafan.

Thank you for your information!
we will stay in Xi`an for only a day. it seems, that it will work out well.
have a nice "golden-week-ride"! we all are looking forward to our one!
Sabine

Happy to share the knowledge, hope you guys enjoy the ride!

Here's a pic taken just outside xi'an, with a CJ in there to get you guys excited

https://byfiles.storage.live.com/y1p...065.JPG?psid=1