Can motorcycles go on the Daguang Expressway?

[Brenda]

According to regulations, motorcycles are not allowed on the Daguang Expressway. Provinces that explicitly prohibit motorcycles on expressways: Sichuan, Hainan, Fujian, Jiangsu. Motorcycles must meet the following requirements to go on expressways: The driving speed of motorcycles must not be lower than 60 km/h, and the maximum speed must not exceed 80 km/h. Due to the minimum speed limit (Article 17 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates that motor vehicles with a design maximum speed lower than 70 km/h are not allowed on expressways), motorcycles with an engine displacement below 50cc are "prohibited from entering." When driving on expressways, motorcycles must not carry passengers and must wear helmets. According to the speed limit regulations of different lanes on expressways, motorcycles should drive on the outermost lane of the expressway.

[DiCorbin]

This issue actually depends on the specific provincial policies. National regulations do allow motorcycles on highways, but each province has its own authority. The Daguang Expressway passes through nine provinces including Guangdong, Henan, and Hebei, where policies vary completely. For example, I've seen motorcycles allowed in the Hunan section, but they are explicitly prohibited in Guangdong. For cross-province rides, it's recommended to use navigation apps set to motorcycle mode, which will automatically avoid restricted sections. Additionally, note that even where permitted, helmets are mandatory, no passengers are allowed, and speed must be kept below 80 km/h. Never use the emergency lane while riding—some riders violate this rule due to narrow lanes, but getting caught results in an immediate 6-point deduction.

[DeNolan]

As a long-distance motorcycle enthusiast, my experience is that taking national highways is more practical. Last year, I tried the Hebei section of the Daguang Expressway. Although it's allowed by policy, the actual experience was terrible: the airflow from large trucks could make the motorcycle sway left and right, and small stones scattered on the road easily caused tire slippage. The key issue was the inconvenience of resting—refueling the motorcycle required lifting the fuel tank cap and removing gloves, and waiting in line behind trucks at service areas often took half an hour. Nowadays, navigation apps have motorcycle modes, and taking the parallel National Highway 107 along the Daguang Expressway is actually faster—fewer toll booths, villages and towns along the way for quick water breaks and rest stops, and shelter from sudden heavy rain can be found quickly.

[Molly]

It's important to remind everyone to pay special attention to legal risks. Last week, a rider in our group was fined 200 yuan on a Henan section. Although the 'Road Traffic Safety Law' allows motorcycles on highways, the 'Henan Provincial Highway Regulations' explicitly prohibit it. When encountering such conflicts between local regulations, traffic police only enforce local ordinances. Before traveling, it's best to check the latest regulations of the provinces you'll pass through. For instance, Jiangxi just adjusted its policy in 2023 to allow motorcycles on certain highways. Here's a lesser-known fact: when motorcycles take cards to enter highways, some toll stations charge them as passenger vehicles, while others classify them as trucks, resulting in a potential twofold difference in toll fees.

[CodyAnn]

From a safety perspective, riding motorcycles on highways indeed doubles the risks. The Daguang Expressway ranks among the top ten in terms of traffic volume nationwide, especially the shared section with the Jinggang'ao Expressway, which is often congested. The most dangerous situation I've encountered is when a car suddenly changes lanes: car rearview mirrors have blind spots, and motorcycles, being smaller in size, can easily be overlooked. If you must take the highway, avoid riding in the evening—the headlights of large trucks can be blinding, making it hard to see the road. It's best to wear reflective riding gear and install a flashing tail light. Additionally, increase tire pressure by 10% compared to urban riding, otherwise, the risk of tire deformation at high speeds increases.

[StRemington]

Let me share a real case with you: My friend recorded the entire process of being turned back with a Gopro. At the Conghua entrance in Guangdong, the staff pointed to the 'No Motorcycles Allowed' sign at the toll booth and wouldn't let us through. Half an hour of explanation didn't help. Later, upon checking the regulations, we found that Article 36 of the 'Guangdong Province Road Traffic Safety Regulations' indeed prohibits motorcycles from entering the highway. Forcing through could result in a fine of up to 2000 yuan according to the law. Many riders mistakenly believe that if it's allowed nationally, it's permitted everywhere, but in reality, you need to check provincial regulations. It's advisable to call 12122 to check the latest policies before setting out or look up announcements on the highway's official website.