Is riding a motorcycle on the left side considered a traffic violation?
2 Answers
According to China's traffic laws, riding a motorcycle on the left side is considered driving against traffic and will be penalized. Here are the relevant details: 1. Requirements for motorcycles on the road: Motorcycles are classified as motor vehicles. To ride on the road, the driver must have a valid license, wear a helmet, and must ride on the right side of the road without violating any laws or regulations. 2. Points to note: Motorcycles are allowed to overtake on the left side of the road, but after overtaking, they must return to the right lane to ensure safe driving. Like other vehicles, motorcycle riders must also yield to pedestrians.
When I was a kid riding motorcycles, I always took the left side for convenience, which almost caused a head-on collision with a truck—scared me half to death. In China, traffic regulations clearly mandate that motor vehicles, including motorcycles, must drive on the right side. Especially on urban expressways or national highways, driving on the left constitutes illegal wrong-way driving, punishable by a 200-yuan fine and 3 demerit points. Motorcycles, with their smaller size and lower stability, are prone to squeezing into oncoming traffic when riding on the left, increasing risks of rear-end collisions or sideswipes during turns. Not to mention, in heavy fog with low visibility, riding left is practically gambling with your life. Now, I strictly adhere to the right-side principle when riding, double-checking routes beforehand instead of cutting corners—safety trumps everything. Keeping a reflective vest handy also adds nighttime security.
