Motorcycles, Scooters and Helmets

[Gymnosopher]

My girlfriend has recently become interested in using a scooter to get to and from work after frustration with the public transport system to I was wondering if anyone knows the regulation for that. Perhaps it's location dependant (we're in Xi'an) but I have heard variously that all motorcycles/scooters are banned, only powerful motorcycles are banned, anything with petrol is banned but electric is alright etc. whilst simultaneously see plenty on the road - so any input on this would be pretty useful.

Also, if she were to ride a bike I'd be pretty keen on her wearing a helmet - what can I say, I'm nostalgic for health and safety bureaucracy of Old Blighty. As she's not so up for that I'm on my own in looking into the options, and though I can stick 头盔 摩托车 into TaoBao I'm not very confident in the results. Sure, a lot of them are pretty and inexpensive (44 RMB, are you serious? http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=6753703436) however even for the more expensive I'm still very wary of how safe they would actually be. Perhaps this is something you need to try before you buy but if anyone could recommend a brand/point me towards a page explaining the ins and outs I'd be keen to look into it. I know people here seem to be driving slowly in rush hour traffic and may think a moto gp grade helmet unnecessary, but why take a risk when there are quite a high incidence of accidents?

As a side, I was curious to see a sign posted up near our classrooms in Uni last week saying that any international student seen riding a scooter would be expelled. My classmates seem to think that on a study visa it's illegal to drive one, though again it's something not uncommon to see, so which is it?

Thanks.

[Brian US]

http://www.mychinamo...i-an-Motorbikes

We called just a moment ago Xi'an traffic authority. Xi'an has a motorcycle ban inside the 3rd ring road and including 3rd ring itself.

They also mentioned that they have restrictions for motorcycles on Shaanxi express ways.

Maybe someone located in Xi'an can tell whether police enforce this ban. As I learned it costs you a 200 RMb and 3 points.

Should be good with an electric scooter, because I saw them everywhere while in Xi'an this month. Probably depends where you are, but I recall being near the center of town and walking down a street with around 10 scooter stores.

As for helmets, think of it as an investment. A 30 RMB helmet isn't going to protect your head like a 400 RMB import. Making sure it fits well is the most important.

[Gymnosopher]

Thanks for that Brian, I could never have dreamed regulations in China would seem so black and white! Well, on the surface at least...

If there is said ban it does make the scooter situation interesting as yes, they are everywhere. So perhaps in the linked thread the most important part is the recommendations on 'saving face' to allow law enforcement to be lazy and not be bothered.

The problem with China and health and safety though is that expensive brand names still don't guaruntee good quality - so for helmets I may check around that other forum for recommended brands etc.