Quote Originally Posted by euphonius View Post


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