What is the minimum engine displacement required for motorcycles to ride on highways?
1 Answers
Any motorcycle powered by a fuel engine with a displacement exceeding 50cc (including 50cc) is classified as a motor vehicle, meaning motorcycles with a displacement above 50cc are permitted on highways. However, riders must wear helmets, maintain speeds between 60–80 km/h, avoid carrying passengers, and ride strictly in the rightmost lane. The minimum speed limit on highways is 60 km/h, and motorcycles must not exceed 80 km/h. Due to this minimum speed requirement, only motorcycles with displacements above 50cc are suitable for highway use. In China, however, most local highway regulations prohibit motorcycles from entering expressways, conflicting with the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China and its Implementation Regulations. 1. Article 67 of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China states: Pedestrians, non-motor vehicles, tractors, wheeled special-purpose machinery vehicles, articulated buses, full trailers, and other motor vehicles designed for speeds below 70 km/h are prohibited from entering highways. This provision does not explicitly ban motorcycles. 2. Section 5, Article 78 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law specifies: Highways must indicate lane speed limits, with maximum speeds not exceeding 120 km/h and minimum speeds not below 60 km/h. Small passenger cars on highways must not exceed 120 km/h, other motor vehicles 100 km/h, and motorcycles 80 km/h. Based on these speed restrictions, motorcycles are only allowed in the outermost lane. 3. Section 5, Article 83 of the Implementation Regulations states: Cargo vehicles on highways must not carry passengers in their cargo areas. Two-wheeled motorcycles are also prohibited from carrying passengers while riding on highways.