Motorcycles Banned in Guangzhou

How can a large city reduce street crime, minimize traffic congestion, and lower road accidents? Guangzhou's answer was to ban motorcycles.

Beginning January 2007, the Guangzhou government strictly banned motorcycle riding in the city. Police detain riders; riders are fined 200 Yuan, and their motorcycles are confiscated.

Within two weeks of the ban, traffic problems in Guangzhou were reduced by 50% and road accidents dropped by 40%, according to the Guanzhou traffic bureau.

Sources:

• The End of the Motorcycles Era (01-15-2007)
• The New York Times: In City Ban, a Sign of Wealth..." (01-15-2007)
  
• News Guangdong: A Week After Guangzhou Banned Motorcycles (01-10-2007)
  
• Guangzhou Life without Motorcycles (01-03-2007)
• Guangzhou Bans Motorcycles (01-02-2007)