Here is a reason why motorcycles are barred from most cities

[Lao Jia Hou]

Frankly, I hope it is 600 days or, better, permanent ... but the Beijing government's posting says it will be a 30 day crackdown. Whatever.

However, it seems that a few police are getting a little overzealous. Lots of strange cases being reported. For example, you know how we mount the front plate on the right fork? Well, apparently that is illegal. The plate should be mounted facing forward. The police are handing out 200 rmb fines and 6 points! Needless to say, this has caused more than one "objection" over on the Chinese forums.

Also, know the road tax book? (maybe this is only a Beijing thing) Apparently, that is supposed to be carried with you, at all times. No tax book? 200 rmb & 3 points.

Two-year inspection sticker? It must be properly mounted, in accordance with the supposed guidelines (nobody really knows what those guidelines are). 200 rmb, 3 points.

I'm afraid to check my plates online - damn, I've probably racked up thousands in fines and so many points since this crackdown began a week ago, I'll be spending months being re-educated in Traffic School.

Yeah, permanent, but rational. What a dreamer I am.

PS: And they're also going after shops. I visited Beijing's largest retail outlet today, and the owner told me that he has stopped mounting rear racks, bags, windscreens, or any other "unauthorized modification" because he's afraid of being heavily fined or, worse, shut down.

[Lao Jia Hou]

... but the Beijing government's posting says it will be a 30 day crackdown.

Correction.

The motorcycle crackdown, in Beijing, is for the month of September. But the illegal plate crackdown runs until October 31. I think that is primarily on cars. Here's a report on the Beijing TMB notice:

Tough control on license plate violations Aug 20, 2012 Chinese authorities on Monday launched a national campaign to combat violations of motor vehicle license plate regulations. The campaign, which will last until October 31, will focus on the forging or illegal alteration of license plates, as well as the use of false plates and driving while intentionally covering license plates, according to a statement issued by the traffic management bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. During the campaign, police will also target violations concerning the illegal "cloning" of others' plates or driver's licenses. Motorists should report incidents in which they receive tickets for violations they have obviously not committed to local authorities in order to help police find "cloned" plates, the statement said. Police will raid and shut down facilities used to produce and sell false plates, the statement said, adding that unlicensed drivers and people who drive with false licenses will be punished. Police will strictly punish violators, with punishments including the confiscation of their cars and plates, as well as criminal penalties, the statement said.

source: http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/publish/por.../info40612.htm

[TB-Racing]

just got an email from the biker guys in Hangzhou.....

Hi Bros, Sis!
Traffic police all over China have started motorcycle targeted enforcement campaign. Started in beginning of Sep and it will continue until end of October. According to mychinamoto forum target is to "get rid the streets of anything on 2 wheels".

"Full action, the entire police force of law enforcement and zero tolerance to combat. "

Best case you got ton of "points" and 200 RMB fine...worse case your bike is confiscated on the spot and you get government funded intensive language training behind bars. I am not sure whether during the campaign "you are laowai they will not stop you" magic works in the city center of HZ.

Better keep driving licenses and motorcycle registration papers with you all time.
Check that you compulsory traffic insurance is valid.
Check that bi-annual road-worthy inspection is done. (at least Shanghai A-plate requires this. How about QDH or HZ plates?)
Avoiding restricted roads (btw, good part of G320 is restricted...)

"In the the motorcycle illegal remediation mid, I earnestly summarize Bureau for motorcycle remediation, to take five measures, concentration and control of the motorcycle drink driving, driving without a license, without a license on the road, are not required to install the license plate, illegal entering the Restriction area, as well as illegal modifications, not the annual inspection, do not wear helmets, new lights cross the line and other illegal activities."

Here is the link to the translated article: http://translate.google.com.hk/translate?tl=en&u=http://www.bjjtgl.gov.cn/publish/portal0/tab41/info40673.htm

[Barry]

However, it seems that a few police are getting a little overzealous. Lots of strange cases being reported. For example, you know how we mount the front plate on the right fork? Well, apparently that is illegal. The plate should be mounted facing forward. The police are handing out 200 rmb fines and 6 points! Needless to say, this has caused more than one "objection" over on the Chinese forums.

Also, know the road tax book? (maybe this is only a Beijing thing) Apparently, that is supposed to be carried with you, at all times. No tax book? 200 rmb & 3 points.

The front plate on the right fork which is approved by the Traffic Bureau, who basically are police is illegal now!?

Tax book, what tax book?

[euphonius]

As I've said before, "Actual law enforcement! What a concept!"

I really wonder what's got the bee in their bonnet about motorcycles. What about the myriad other forms of scofflaw behavior, including overloaded electric three-wheel haulers, all manner of dodgy eBikes held together by little more than packing tape, vastly overloaded trucks, industrial vehicles with THEIR plates missing or concealed, cars with doctored plates or "reflective" countermeasures that defy cameras, etc, etc.

Those of use who are legal should not hesitate to ride, and be sure to be polite and friendly to the cops, who have been tasked with a dangerous and thankless task.

For those of us who are not legal, this might be high time to get yourself legal.

Cheers

[euphonius]

Another thing: I've seen reference to a registration sticker that I assume is supposed to go on our rear plate. I recently re-registered, but don't remember anything about a sticker.

cheers

[ZMC888]

Those of use who are legal should not hesitate to ride, and be sure to be polite and friendly to the cops, who have been tasked with a dangerous and thankless task.

For those of us who are not legal, this might be high time to get yourself legal.

Euphonius or sanctimonious?

[bikerdoc]

Barry the tax book, is a small little blue book (tiny little thing it is) with several small pages in it. It outlines that tax was paid from memory. I have mine so if need be I can get one of them and will scan and upload a copy if anyone wants to see what it looks like.


Euphonius, I also just had my 2 yearly re-inspection done on one bike and never got a sticker. There used to be a sticker that was a little (approx 25mm x 20mm) diamond shape sticker with a different colour border & background for each year and then in the body of the sticker would be the year of issue. That was the case down in Zhejiang, though as usual this may vary depending on which little empire one is located. The said sticker would fade over time though and depending on use offered little after many months exposure to the elements and cleanings. Can't recall for sure but I think that the sticker was for insurance and was meant to be applied and therefore displayed on the rear license plate. I'm certain the sticker was not for inspection. Regardless I haven't had a sticker issued for ages, and I just renewed the insurance one week ago today. Neither inspection nor insurance renewal did I receive any sticker. I will go look through my bike bag I have sitting in my bike I rode to my workplace today to double check that.

Interestingly though is many bikes have a designated or fabricated place for attaching the front plate to the right hand front fork. Perhaps it is simply a de-facto standard that each manufacturer have adopted over time, that has slowly been accepted by all and sundry as the standard when perhaps the rules clearly outline something different. Oddly though, the bike that was just reinspected which has the plate on the right fork, wasn't pulled up for having the plate located there. Some bikes offer little option in that regard, and two of my bikes fit into that category where there is no sensible alternative for mounting the front plate.

[euphonius]

Euphonius or sanctimonious?

Great name for a band!

[TB-Racing]

Originally Posted by euphonius
Another thing: I've seen reference to a registration sticker that I assume is supposed to go on our rear plate.



they came in many different variations over the years in Shanghai, haven't seen them for awhile, attached a pic of my old CJ750 plate.....