To further alleviate traffic pressure and meet diverse travel needs, some cities have started to lift restrictions on motorcycle usage, allowing motorcycles to legally drive on the roads. This move has garnered widespread attention and sparked discussions across society.
Lifting the Motorcycle Ban Stimulates Consumer Demand
For a long time, China has implemented stringent restrictions on motorcycles, including mandatory scrapping and urban traffic controls. While these policies have somewhat reduced traffic accidents, they have also suppressed consumer demand in the motorcycle market.
For nylig, some cities have begun lifting motorcycle bans, making it more convenient for consumers to purchase and use motorcycles for travel. This will undoubtedly stimulate consumer demand in the motorcycle market.
According to current regulations, motorcycles must be scrapped after 12-13 years. This means consumers need to consider replacing their motorcycles halfway through their lifespan. For example, purchasing a motorcycle for 10,000 yuan means an annual depreciation cost of 769 yuan over 13 years.
In contrast, small cars have a lifespan exceeding 15 years, resulting in lower annual depreciation costs. Technically, motorcycles could last longer due to their lighter weight and lower static load. Imidlertid, the mandatory scrapping policy artificially increases usage costs, hindering the motorcycle industry’s development.
It is suggested that instead of mandatory scrapping, motorcycles should only be scrapped if they fail safety inspections for three consecutive years. This flexible policy could significantly reduce usage costs and encourage more people to choose motorcycles for travel.
Lifting Motorcycle Bans Helps Reduce Urban Traffic Pressure
Currently, the rapid growth of private car ownership in China, exceeding 250 million vehicles, has caused severe traffic congestion in major cities. Compared to small cars, motorcycles are smaller and more agile, making them suitable for short-distance travel. Experts suggest that encouraging residents to use motorcycles can significantly alleviate urban traffic pressure.
Motorcycles take up much less space than cars, meaning that more motorcycles can fit on the same road area. Encouraging consumers to switch from cars to motorcycles can enhance road capacity and reduce traffic congestion.
Faktisk, cities like Xi’an and Jinan have seen significant improvements in traffic conditions after lifting motorcycle bans. In Xi’an alone, the travel time for small cars has decreased by over 15%. For most short to medium-distance travel, relying solely on public transport is neither flexible nor can it achieve “door-to-door” service.
Combining public transport with motorcycles allows seamless transitions from main roads to smaller streets. This multimodal transport system can facilitate daily travel and reduce the use of cars on secondary roads.
Services like taxis and ride-hailing can meet the needs of some business people, but during peak hours, finding a ride can be difficult. Allowing business people to use motorcycles in designated city areas enables flexible route adjustments based on actual road conditions, significantly saving time. This is why some developed countries allow business people to use motorcycles in cities.
In Conclusion
Lifting restrictions on motorcycles not only boosts consumption by stimulating demand in the motorcycle market but also helps reduce urban traffic congestion. Implementing flexible policies like scrapping based on safety inspections rather than arbitrary time limits can further support the industry and benefit the economy. As more cities follow suit, the overall impact on both consumer convenience and economic growth will become increasingly evident.