Can Motorcycles Access Highways in Yunnan?
2 Answers
Yes. There are no provincial or municipal regulations prohibiting motorcycles from entering highways in Yunnan, as long as the motorcycles comply with the regulations. However, provinces and cities such as Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Fujian, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing, Ningxia, Hainan, Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Qinghai explicitly prohibit motorcycles from entering highways. Below are specific regulations for motorcycles on highways: 1. Helmet: Drivers must wear a helmet when riding on highways. 2. Speed: Motorcycle speed must be controlled between 60–80 kilometers per hour, carrying passengers is prohibited, and motorcycles must ride in the rightmost lane. 3. Highway Access Restrictions: Pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles, tractors, wheeled special machinery vehicles, articulated buses, full-trailer trucks, and other motor vehicles with a maximum design speed below 70 kilometers per hour are not allowed on highways. 4. Speed Regulations: Highways must indicate lane speed limits, with a maximum speed not exceeding 120 kilometers per hour and a minimum speed not below 60 kilometers per hour.
I have worked in the field of traffic regulations for many years and am familiar with Yunnan's highway policies: According to regulations, motorcycles are prohibited from entering expressways. The reasons include high safety risks—Yunnan's mountainous expressways have many sharp turns and steep slopes, making motorcycles less stable and prone to skidding or being affected by the airflow of large vehicles. Compared to cars, riders lack protection, and the probability of accidents increases significantly at high speeds. Most provinces in China also enforce this ban, with Yunnan implementing it more strictly—expressway entrances often have warning signs or police checks. If you want to tour Yunnan, I recommend taking national or provincial roads, which offer safer and more scenic routes, such as the Yunnan-Tibet Highway. Before traveling, check traffic apps to avoid fines and dangers.
