No Helmet, Even with a Child? China Tightens Regulations on Rechargeable Two-Wheelers

These are rechargeable two-wheelers, commonly known as "diandong."

As the most common mode of transportation on Chinese streets, an estimated 380 million of them were in operation nationwide as of last year.

While they offer affordable short-distance commuting and the convenience of navigating narrow alleyways, they also come with a fair share of problems.

It is easy to spot riders carrying young children in the back without wearing helmets, or using their mobile phones while driving.

Frequent driving in the wrong direction of traffic often leads to major accidents.

In response, China has decided to step up regulations on rechargeable two-wheelers.

The draft revision to the Road Traffic Safety Law submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the 25th [of last month] specifically lists prohibited behaviors while riding rechargeable two-wheelers.

These include driving against traffic, speeding, running red lights, as well as making phone calls or watching videos on mobile phones.

Furthermore, while wearing a helmet had previously been mandatory only in select cities like Beijing and Shanghai, the revision explicitly stipulates that both drivers and passengers must wear helmets.

The revision also includes provisions regarding delivery workers, who are the heaviest users of rechargeable two-wheelers.

It holds internet platform companies responsible for creating algorithms that predict order allocations and delivery times while taking factors such as speed limits, weather, and road conditions into account.

This is intended to prevent companies from driving delivery workers to speed by assigning tight schedules without considering various factors affecting delivery.

Instead, the maximum speed limit for riding on non-motorized vehicle lanes will be raised from the current 15 km/h to 20 km/h.

An expert who participated in the law revision explained that the measure strikes a balance between safety and users' expectations for efficient travel.

(Camera filming: Choi Deok-hyun)

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