Started this week ...

http://beijing.auto.sohu.com/20110517/n307643318.shtml

Although it is probably focusing more on cars, it is possible that motorcycles might also be caught in the net.

Basically, the Beijing police are going to go after fake / copied / expired / absent plates. Always an issue with motorcycles, it is becoming more common with cars now that Beijing has the car plate lottery system. When people can't get plates, they get "creative". No surprise there.

The game changer is that the new May 1 Traffic Safety law (the one that changed the drunk driving law) makes it a criminal offense to operate a vehicle with a fake/modified/copied/absent plate. Previously, it was a traffic violation. Now it is 10 to 15 days in jail, a 2,000 rmb fine, an impounding of the vehicle (unregistered vehicles will likely be tough to get back) ... and the nasty consequences of your visa/job with a criminal record.

Well, perhaps like most "campaigns", it may last a few weeks and then be "business as usual".

Hmmmm - I wonder what might happen to the Chongli bike event, in Hebei? There is a police check / road block when one enters Beijing. I guess many riders will be finding obscure mountain trails to get back home!?