Riding a hoverboard in Guangzhou will soon result in fines and possible confiscation of devices, according to Guangzhou Daily.
Passed last October and going into effect this September 1, the new regulations on motorcycles and non-motorized vehicles will unequivocally ban hoverboards from scooting down city streets. E-bikes and many e-tricycles will also remain illegal in Guangzhou.
Exceptions for the e-tricycle ban include vehicles that meet ‘national standards’ and are used by the post office or express companies.
If caught by traffic police, drivers and hoverboarders will face a fine ranging from RMB5-50 and even have their vehicles confiscated, depending on the severity of the situation. The fine will go up to as much as RMB10,000 if riders are caught transporting people or goods.
Regular bikes will also be affected by the new rules: cyclists will be required to yield to pedestrians. Failure to do so will result in credit rating penalization, which will make it hard for those seeking a Guangzhou hukou.
Electric wheelchairs that operate at speeds under 15 kilometers per hour will be unaffected by the change, provided they are operated by a licensed owner.
Motorcycles will still be forbidden in most Guangzhou districts, with the exception of Conghua, Zengcheng and Huadu. In Panyu, they are banned in University Town and the area around the Guangzhou South Railway Station.
According to Guangzhou Daily, motorcycles and non-motorized vehicle are major traffic hazards. Since 2005, motorcycles have accounted for more than 40 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in Guangzhou. The new regulations are meant to combat the risks posed by unregulated vehicles.
PHOTOS: Hoverboarders on Guangzhou Streets
[Image via Don Seno]
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