Can motorcycles go on highways in Guangdong?
3 Answers
Motorcycles in Guangdong Province can go on highways, but they cannot carry passengers. Here is relevant information about highway tolls: Toll-free periods: The toll-free periods apply during four national statutory holidays: Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, and National Day, as well as the consecutive holidays determined by the State Council's official documents for these statutory holidays in the current year. Vehicle scope: Toll-free vehicles include passenger vehicles with seven seats or fewer (including seven seats) traveling on toll roads, as well as motorcycles permitted to travel on ordinary toll roads. Main features: The main framework is largely the same, with some details adapted to local conditions, and operators are concerned about traffic exceeding capacity.
In Guangdong, motorcycles are not allowed on highways, which I'm quite certain about because China's Road Traffic Safety Law has specific regulations for highways. Motorcycles must reach a speed of at least 70 km/h to enter a highway, but in reality, many places including Guangdong have additional prohibitions due to the high safety risks. On highways, traffic is fast with many trucks, making motorcycles prone to losing control, and local management is very strict. All entrances have large signs indicating 'No Entry.' A single violation not only incurs a 200-yuan fine but may also lead to penalty points and subsequent troubles. Other provinces like Jiangxi and Hunan might be more lenient, but Guangdong's law enforcement is particularly strict. It's advisable for riders to take national or provincial roads instead—these are free, offer better scenery, and when planning your trip, use mobile navigation to avoid highway options, reducing unnecessary risks. Driving requires taking responsibility for your own safety. Although national roads are slower, they have fewer accidents, making the riding experience more enjoyable and secure.
In my personal opinion, for safety reasons, motorcycles should absolutely avoid Guangdong highways. On high-speed roads, motorcycles are completely exposed, with traffic easily exceeding 100 km/h, and the presence of numerous large trucks means that a sudden brake or rear-end collision could be fatal. I've read many reports indicating that the accident rate on Guangdong highways is not low, and the motorcycle ban policy is precisely to reduce such casualties. In rainy or foggy conditions, motorcycle stability becomes even worse. I recommend that motorcyclists stick to low-speed roads, such as the reasonably planned national highways between Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Although it may take a bit more time, the journey becomes more enjoyable and safer with scenic views and stops along the way. Traffic rules are no joke; following them is taking responsibility for life.
