Beijing Moves to Ban "Elderly Scooters" From Roads

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You've probably seen them before. Small box-like vehicles resembling a tuk tuk or smart car hurling through the hutongs, roads, or honking their way on sidewalks and bike lanes, senior citizen at the wheel and grandchild or other family in tow. Loathed for their ability to cause traffic problems and accidents, the local government has noticed them as well, and they're set to ban them by the start of next year.
Dubbed 老年代步车 lǎonián dàibùchē (elderly scooter), or, more simply 老头乐 lǎo tóu lè, in Chinese, these mini cars are tolerated as a legitimate transportation option for Beijing's seniors. In truth, though, the vehicles are far from legitimate. They are not officially approved for production on China's "Road Motor Vehicle Production Enterprises and Products" list. What's more, their performance doesn't meet standards for motor vehicle safety, and they're unable to register and apply for license plates or insurance.

Thus, on Apr 12, Beijing's Traffic Bureau announced that starting from Jan 1, 2024, all lao tou le will be prohibited from operating on public roads. They will also be banned from parking in public spaces.

Next year, lao tou le will no longer be allowed on the roads in Beijing

Another issue with the vehicles highlighted by the Traffic Bureau was their poor design. Manufacturers often prioritize profits over quality by using subpar materials and employing inferior craftsmanship. Typically, lao tou le feature a slender build and lightweight frame, resulting in low vehicle stability and a tendency to drift while in use.
Most lao tou le also lack anti-collision structures on the front and rear, and the most basic safety feature, seat belts, let alone airbags. Vehicles typically do not undergo crash tests before leaving the factory, and their safety performance cannot be guaranteed. The circuit, voltage, and performance of the several large batteries assembled in a random manner are not up to standard, which may cause the vehicle to spontaneously ignite while charging, a significant cause for concern.

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Based on the drawbacks of lao tou le and the statistics on moped and scooter crashes, it is not surprising that these vehicles are associated with a high death rate in traffic accidents. For example, a report from Beijing in 2022 revealed that there were 131 fatal traffic incidents involving the vehicles, which resulted in 138 deaths. In March 2021, a tragic incident occurred in Yizhuang Development Zone, when a lao tou le ran a red light and collided with a car, resulting in the death of the lao tou le driver.

A lao tou le (right) next to a kuaidi delivery vehicle

These incidents highlight the need for improved safety measures for lao tou le. A notice has been issued by the Beijing Traffic Bureau, which prohibits the production and sale of mini cars within the city's jurisdiction. A grace period, which will conclude on Dec 31, 2023, has been established. During this period, drivers must adhere strictly to traffic regulations while driving on roads. From Jan 1, 2024, the vehicles will be prohibited from riding on roads.Netizens' opinions on the prohibition of lao tou le on roads are polarized. While some strongly endorse the policy, citing traffic disruptions caused by the slow-moving vehicles and their disregard for traffic rules, others feel that the ban might impact the mobility of the elderly. One netizen expressed their support for the policy by saying, "I have witnessed these vehicles running red lights many times, and I believe this policy should have been implemented earlier."
Some argue that these slow-moving vehicles serve as an alternative for grandparents who pick up their grandchildren and that most seniors don't know how to order a taxi through their phones. "Many elderly people don't know how to drive, and these cars make their lives easier," said one netizen. They go on to express hope that the government will set up designated spots where seniors can order taxis.
What's your opinion on the coming lao tou le ban? Let us know in the comments!

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Images: Unsplash, Weibo

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