Is it a traffic violation for motorcycles to drive in the non-motorized vehicle lane?
2 Answers
Motorcycles driving in the non-motorized vehicle lane is not considered a traffic violation. Motorcycles are a type of motor vehicle. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," motor vehicles should drive in the motor vehicle lane. If there are special circumstances requiring temporary use of another lane, the vehicle must return to the designated lane promptly after completing the maneuver. Therefore, motorcycles can drive in the non-motorized vehicle lane under special circumstances, but they are not normally allowed to do so. Additional information is as follows: 1. Non-motorized vehicle lane: A non-motorized vehicle lane refers to the lane on the right side of the road or urban street, between the sidewalk curb (or line) and the first vehicle lane divider (or barrier or post), or a lane marked on the sidewalk. Except under special circumstances, it is exclusively for non-motorized vehicles. 2. Motor vehicle lane: A motor vehicle lane refers to the lane on the roadway (the part of the road between the curbs on both sides or the paved surface of a highway, exclusively for vehicle traffic) from the first vehicle lane divider on the right side to the centerline (or the geometric centerline if there is no centerline). Except under special circumstances, it is exclusively for motor vehicles.
I usually drive to and from work, and what I fear the most is motorcycles darting into the bicycle lanes. Last month, I witnessed a motorcycle speeding on the non-motorized vehicle lane, almost hitting a student riding a bicycle. Fortunately, nothing happened. The traffic police later issued a ticket because according to traffic regulations, motorcycles are motor vehicles and can only travel on motor vehicle lanes. If you ride on a non-motorized vehicle lane, it is definitely a violation, punishable by a fine of 100 to 200 yuan, and points may also be deducted. On city roads with heavy traffic and chaos, drivers must not seek speed or convenience by riding in the wrong lane. Otherwise, if an accident occurs, it will be troublesome—ranging from minor scrapes with pedestrians to causing major traffic jams. Every time I see such a situation, I think: safety first, follow the rules honestly, and don’t cause trouble for pedestrians.
