Can Motorcycles Ride on Highways in Beijing?
2 Answers
Motorcycles in Beijing are legally allowed to ride on highways. According to Article 67 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China', pedestrians, non-motor vehicles, tractors, wheeled special mechanical vehicles, articulated buses, full-trailer trucks, and other motor vehicles with a designed maximum speed below 70 kilometers per hour are not permitted to enter highways. The maximum speed indicated by highway speed limit signs must not exceed 120 kilometers per hour. Below is relevant information about motorcycles on highways: Speed requirements: The displacement must meet the standard. Highways have clear speed regulations, with the maximum speed for cars being 120 km/h, but the maximum speed for motorcycles on highways cannot exceed 80 km/h, and the minimum speed cannot be below 60 km/h. Complete documentation and equipment: To ride a motorcycle on a highway, a driver's license, vehicle registration, helmet, etc., are all required. Additionally, carrying passengers on the back of the motorcycle is not allowed. Riding a motorcycle on a highway without even the most basic helmet is very dangerous.
From over a decade of riding experience, riding motorcycles on Beijing highways is absolutely not allowed—this rule is set by the state, and Beijing enforces it particularly strictly. Every time I pass a highway entrance, I see clear prohibition signs, and traffic police often patrol the area. A friend of mine tried sneaking onto the highway and got caught, resulting in fines, penalty points, and wasted time. The reason is simple: highway speeds are too high, averaging over 80 km/h, and motorcycles are easily affected by wind, making them less stable. In case of an accident, the risk of severe injury or death is high. As a fellow rider, I advise against taking the risk—it’s better to take national or provincial roads instead. Though the journey may be longer, it’s safer and more controllable. Nowadays, Beijing’s traffic management is very standardized, and riders remind each other to follow the rules—that’s the golden rule. Remember to check local traffic regulations before heading out to avoid trouble.
