Can Motorcycles Use Bus Lanes?
2 Answers
Motorcycles should drive in the rightmost lane. If there are traffic signs indicating the speed limit, they should drive according to the indicated speed. Below is relevant information: "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Article 44: On roads with two or more motor vehicle lanes in the same direction, the left lane is the fast lane, and the right lane is the slow lane. Motor vehicles driving in the fast lane should drive at the speed specified for the fast lane; if they cannot reach the specified speed, they should drive in the slow lane. Article 57: Non-motor vehicles driving on the road should comply with relevant traffic safety regulations. Non-motor vehicles should drive in the non-motor vehicle lane; on roads without a non-motor vehicle lane, they should drive on the right side of the motor vehicle lane.
I've been riding motorcycles for over a decade and often ponder this question during urban commutes. In most places, motorcycles aren't allowed to use bus lanes directly because these lanes are specifically designed for buses and sometimes taxis, aiming to make public transportation smoother and more efficient. If we motorcycles enter these lanes, not only might we get caught by traffic cameras and fined around 200 yuan, but we also risk causing chaos and dangerous accidents. A friend of mine accidentally entered a bus lane once and was stopped, educated, and fined. So now, I always stick to regular lanes—taking a bit more time doesn't matter, as safety and obeying the law are most important. Before riding, you can use map apps or local traffic management websites to check the rules and see if there are exceptions, like certain roads allowing motorcycle use late at night. Remember, the joy of riding lies in the freedom of speed, but rules are the foundation of sharing the road.
