It already happened many times that I drive my electric bike (a big one) with my gf and at intersections those traffic officers keep saying that she should get off because it is not allowed for two people.
What I don't get is e-bikes come with two seats, a place where to put the feet for the person behind, you can buy raincoat for two, etc.
I don't know if it's a new traffic law but the thing is they really think they are going to solve anything by making people get of the bike knowing they'll jump in again a few meters away? Is very practical to use an e-bike for two and you always see so many bikes with two on it.
If it's for safety, what I found dangerous is when you see 3-4 people on a bike or when they carry small kids without any security.
Two adults in a e-bike (it doesn't go that fast) I don't see how it is dangerous.
I'm now writing this because yesterday it really pissed me off. I got to an intersection where there was many traffic police and police officers chatting. I was waiting for the green light and the officer told me she should get off. I said she was injured so she couldn't walk. Then the other officers start repeating that she should get off. I kept saying that she was injured and then they started shouting stuff like "fuck you", "son of a bitch", and others to us. Then I left when the green light turned on.
1st, I don't think driving two in a e-bike is a big concern for traffic problems/security, I don't even think is a small one.
2nd, What were they doing all those officers (around 7) with their motorbikes in the same intersection chatting?
3rd, because they are officers they are allowed to use this kind of language when the only thing I said was "my gf is injured, she can't walk"?
Anyone knows what the law says about that?
What actions can a traffic officer take?
Does she really have to get of when a traffic officer says so?
Yup, bikes, ebikes or normal bikes can only carry kids behind the rider.
Its the rules (stupid albeit) and people have been jumping off and walking the intersections for decades,,when they see cops.
Swearing at you was wrong, but you were lucky they didnt take anymore action like taking your bike. Police here in Kunming are still treating laowai quite nicely, one day you will find a not so nice one and have your bike taken if the person you are carrying doesn't get off.
Next time you have A LOT of time to waste and if they swear at you again I suggest you stop, write down the badge numbers of the police, get a witness, then go to the traffic police HQ to complain.
Hmm...so much for traffic enforcement in this city. Anyway, rules are rules and slowly but surely the police here is getting the upper hand at making sure they are enforced - although swearing at you was completely wrong and unacceptable.
On a stretch of highway between Jinghong and Kunming, a friend was caught for speeding by a fixed speed camera today; they are everywhere now. Despite having a 20 year or so head-start infrastructure-wise on China, Thailand can't even manage that yet, with their lazy enforcement of traffic rules usually in the form of an occassional radar controlled area once a month or so, with two officers pointing in your direction, followed by paying a 200-400 Baht fine, after which everyone speeds again...so much for being a deterrant. I can imagine that in 10 years time, China will have all the will and resources to crack down on all traffic offenders, just like in the west. They've managed to do a lot in a short time already, and while that may not sound like music to your ears, the fact that they didn't ask you to pay a fine or a bribe proves that the authorities here are not just money hungry like in say, Cambodia for example.
Thinking of getting an e-bike to transport my 2 small kids to school. Anyone know what the rules are about having two kids on the bike and is there an age limit? I often see one sitting on the back, and then one standing between the driver's legs?
I don't understand why you cause so much grief, arguing with authority figures. It gives foreigners a bad name.
Arguing is pointless. You won't win. Next time you could get worse than merely being sworn at.
We think swearing is unacceptable.
The cops think arguing with them about how they enforce the law is unacceptable.
Who is going to come out on top?
first, most probably those "cops" were not real cops, but traffic enforcement. They're poorly trained, poorly paid, poorly attired, and generally exhibit poor behavior - but having to deal with an entire city of e-bikers and regular bikers who generally ignore them - well the circle of grief is never-ending.
Professional cops carry guns - are usually polite, professional, and usually try to resolve disputes peacefully for all sides - ostensibly to avoid paperwork.
The traffic enforcers are essentially imbecilic morons - as it's well known that couples ditch the bike at intersections and mount up again on the other side of the road - pointless moronic, imbecilic traffic enforcement.
Although you "should" in theory just follow the rules - moronic and imbecilic as they are - I applaud your ability to utterly ignore these traffic cretins and elicit such profound expletives - after all, that's what they want to do to you - so it's great that you can pass some of that pain and disrespect back down the pipe - although that doesn't really contribute to making the world a better place to live....but sometimes....
"Thinking of getting an e-bike to transport my 2 small kids to school. Anyone know what the rules are about having two kids on the bike and is there an age limit? I often see one sitting on the back, and then one standing between the driver's legs?"
Forget the rules and the law. Putting your kids in front of you while driving is one good example of excellence in parental decisions. In case of an accident or sudden brake, he or she will act as a cushion, and therefore lowering your own chances of getting injured.
Criminy, such anger, venom, and hatred here. You are not allowed to ride two or more adults during rush hours. You may or may not get stopped and fined. It is as simple as that.
Surely rush hour is the time when sharing a ride is most useful to the city - if every one of those passengers got on their own bike or car or taxi or bus, it would make things much worse!