Beijing gets tough on motorcycles, tricycles

Beijing traffic authorities are cracking down on illegal operation of motorcycles, motor tricycles and electric tricycles to improve road safety.

Li Shaoming, spokesman for Beijing Traffic Management Bureau, said on Monday that such vehicles frequently break traffic rules and regulations, and are often involved in illegal activities such as robbery, which poses a threat to public order.

He vowed to confiscate vehicles without license plates and detain anyone driving without a license.

Official statistics show since July this year, traffic accidents caused by motorcycles, motor tricycles and electric tricycles in Beijing soared to 70 from 40 in 2013, leaving 78 dead.

Illegal drivers should properly dispose of their vehicles within the following two weeks. Anyone caught illegally driving after the grace period will be punished accordingly, Li said.