Motorbikes / Expressways

**998S** · 08-13-2012, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by ChinaV

Bwa ha ha

No worry, last time he said something like this, Matsu let him break his leg ... Wonder what she has in mind this time.

Originally Posted by ChinaV

Being that the Rep. of Taiwan is at least a decade ahead of China in motor vehicle policy, that should put us all on the highways here sometime around .... 2025 or so.

Not only in motor vehicle policy ...

**Shanghaifingers** · 08-13-2012, 07:09 AM

Here is my simple yet direct answer that I received verbally from the Head of the Traffic dept. of Shanghai (I was invited to a diner in which he was the guest of honor) (no I am not going to post his contact details). He stated that basically China like many countries have both National and provincial level laws. Much like the US and the Federal and State law. The National Law must be adhered to in China but a Provincial law my add to it or vary from it as long as it does not contradict the law. Now you might think that the Shanghai provincial law does in fact contradict the National law by banning bike from the express ways, but to the Chinese authorities, its simply an addition to what ever else is banned from Expressways. Because the National law allows bike on the expressway, I have been legally allowed (and often even have to pay at the tolls) on expressways on both 2 wheel bike and 3 wheel bike. That being said that does not mean that I have not encountered the ignorant toll booth attendant or policemen who bars my entry onto an expressway.... but TIC

In short:

National Law "yes, bikes can be driven, as long as they are capable of at least 70kmh, the operator is wearinf a helmet and there is no passenger.

Shanghai Provincial Law "No bikes. period" (which really should not be all that surprising)

Besides, every single one of us has said to someone "ITS ABOUT THE JOURNEY AND NOT THE DESTINATION" Expressways are boring as hell.... I rather be in the countryside the a large flat tarmac any day. In other parts of the world people search far and wide for country roads to ride instead of the highways and byways....

**euphonius** · 08-13-2012, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by 998S

Not only in motor vehicle policy ...

Actually, in all pie-in-the-sky seriousness, is it possible that a protest like this could have a positive impact on the mainland by giving visible voice to a view that also is common here?

Anyway, it's not illegal to dream!

cheers

**euphonius** · 08-13-2012, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Shanghaifingers

...Besides, every single one of us has said to someone "ITS ABOUT THE JOURNEY AND NOT THE DESTINATION" Expressways are boring as hell.... I rather be in the countryside the a large flat tarmac any day. In other parts of the world people search far and wide for country roads to ride instead of the highways and byways....

The problem is that, in Shanghai anyways, the "journey" begins at the other end of the "expressway". Yes, boring as hell, but they they get you far more efficiently to "the good riding".

Were you able to talk up the Traffic Department chief about the diversification of motorcyclists in a diversified society, that some of us ride for recreation and sport and pleasure rather than merely as a cheap alternative to a car?

cheers!

**ZMC888** · 08-13-2012, 06:39 PM

550cc or above?

Qiangjiang 750 top speed 85 k/mh. CB400 top speed 185 km/h. Clearly engine displacement is not a good system to use IMHO, especially on the mainland.

**MotoKai** · 08-14-2012, 06:37 AM

Not sure what you all are talking about - riding on the expressways in China is easy.
Just buy an invisibility cloak on Taobao. I use mine to slip onto the expressways unseen, which serves as a fast way to get to the nice X-Roads & S-Roads in Zhejiang.

As the article states: Admit it. You'd love to own an invisibility cloak. Utter an embarrassing faux pas at a party? Just throw on your magical garment and vanish from the snooty gaze of your fellow partygoers. Want to hear what your boss is really saying about you? Stroll right into his or her office and get the goods.....or to go through China's expressway toll booths unseen.

Article: Invisibility Cloaks Are A Reality http://www.howstuffworks.com/invisibility-cloak.htm

* By the way, it's always a good idea to take your cloak off after you pass thru the booth. Can be dangerous riding invisible in China - trust me!

**Shanghaifingers** · 08-14-2012, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by euphonius

Were you able to talk up the Traffic Department chief about the diversification of motorcyclists in a diversified society, that some of us ride for recreation and sport and pleasure rather than merely as a cheap alternative to a car?

cheers!

Actually we talked at length about the differnces. Especially when asked, what will happen if/when plates run out here in Shanghai. We talked about issueing new plates that had limitation on them that would not inhibit the pleasure rider as well as other novel ideas and not so novel (other memebe at the diner had been drinking (a lot)....
His reply was that it was possible to see new plates issued and thus readily available, that were not transferable to cars...in the future (the biggest problem facing the plating situation now)... but he stated they would likely not get any cheaper, given the nature of the thing.... meaning IMHO "Shanghai makes good money on you bikers, why would we give that up". However he said that it was unlikely that there would be a two plate, one city policy anytime soon.... Even if the plates ran out, it would probably be a mess before any action was or if any were taken. Shanghai is part of the multi-city/province ban on motorbikes, the plating situation that now exists is part of a bigger plan to slowly choke the life out of motorcycles in the city proper.

Even though motorcycle market, culture and economic impact is changing and very quickly since the last 4-5 years, the goverment I am sure will be slow to react simiply because Cities like Shanghai and Guang Zhou are to big to be conserned with a few (we are few in number) bikers wanting to play with their toys.....

Seems like we are along for the ride with little to no ablitly to create change, we will have to just see what happens in the end and hope for the best.... In my opinion go and buy as many legal plates as you can now and ensure at least 11 years of riding before you wake up one morning and find plates are all gone

**euphonius** · 08-15-2012, 03:28 AM

Originally Posted by Shanghaifingers

Actually we talked at length about the differnces. Especially when asked, what will happen if/when plates run out here in Shanghai. We talked about issueing new plates that had limitation on them that would not inhibit the pleasure rider as well as other novel ideas and not so novel (other memebe at the diner had been drinking (a lot)....
His reply was that it was possible to see new plates issued and thus readily available, that were not transferable to cars...in the future (the biggest problem facing the plating situation now)... but he stated they would likely not get any cheaper, given the nature of the thing.... meaning IMHO "Shanghai makes good money on you bikers, why would we give that up". However he said that it was unlikely that there would be a two plate, one city policy anytime soon.... Even if the plates ran out, it would probably be a mess before any action was or if any were taken. Shanghai is part of the multi-city/province ban on motorbikes, the plating situation that now exists is part of a bigger plan to slowly choke the life out of motorcycles in the city proper.

Even though motorcycle market, culture and economic impact is changing and very quickly since the last 4-5 years, the goverment I am sure will be slow to react simiply because Cities like Shanghai and Guang Zhou are to big to be conserned with a few (we are few in number) bikers wanting to play with their toys.....

Seems like we are along for the ride with little to no ablitly to create change, we will have to just see what happens in the end and hope for the best.... In my opinion go and buy as many legal plates as you can now and ensure at least 11 years of riding before you wake up one morning and find plates are all gone

Dear Fingers,

Many thanks for these details, depressing as they are. I have one new question, though. Without issuing new plates, how is it that the city makes "good money" from us motorcyclists? When you purchase a plate today the ONLY source is the open market, not the government, so the funds flow between private parties. There's only a small registration fee and tax that the state collects. If the state started issuing new plates again, THEN they'd have genuine cash flow. And they could make annual re-registration mandatory like in all other countries -- i.e. a tax on the right to pilot a vehicle on public roads. What a concept!

Then again, as the proud owner of a plate worth more than its weight in gold and appreciating, I'm not interested in any dramatic changes that would affect my "investment".

cheers!

**Shanghaifingers** · 08-16-2012, 12:00 PM

Euphonius,

Actually those are my words not his, I thought that was what he was implying.... He very well was implying something altogether different. Your right though used platees are sold in the open market and the New ones come from the goverment. Which leads me to MY new question, why don't they wan to issue new plates... Since the allowance of large displacment bikes, bike sales have increased and the number of people able to afford the sky high price of plates these days also increased as the wealthly members of Shanghai flock to buy these new (to them) toys....

**kikikillercat** · 08-17-2012, 05:41 AM

The smoothest road surfaces are typically found on expressways...so it is a dream not to have to hunt for holes every 10 meters... anyway, the idea of leaving an expressway or entering...is to make sure you do not drive over the 'concrete cutout' where under lies the vehicle detector, which the toll booth worker has to account payment for each crossing. I think the worker is most worried about this..and how much to charge a motorcycle which they dont do as it is not posted. Speaking of concrete...Chinese workers are 'concrete thinkers'...if it doesnt happen everyday..then it is not possible. You cant put a square peg in a round hole.....or can you? of course if the hole is big enough..why not?

I want to travel long distance to other cities..how to do? without expressways?