The so-called "road knights" mentioned here are not the knights of medieval Europe, but there is still some connection between the two. What follows is a test — "Do you usually ride a bicycle? Do you consciously ride in the non-motorized vehicle lane? Do you know that cycling on urban streets must not exceed 15 kilometers per hour? Would you choose to ride a bike instead of driving because you've had alcohol?" It is said that none of the participants passed. Recently, the Taiyuan Traffic Police Brigade, in collaboration with local media, launched an event called "Searching for Civilized Knights." The criteria were simple: as long as a cyclist could successfully pass through six traffic lights without any traffic violations, they would be named a "Civilized Knight" and receive a reward. However, over the course of 31 days and nearly 600 people filmed, only one "Civilized Knight" was found. The results of this "exam" were somewhat dismal.
Almost all cyclists believe that cycling on the road is a "freelance job" — turn whenever you want, weave through traffic however you like — while the police are only there to deal with cars. Few of them know that the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law" contains numerous provisions regarding non-motorized vehicles, the most typical being the 15 km/h speed limit. Some cyclists argue that such a speed is insufficient for fitness purposes. Others think the rule may date back to "older times." But traffic police disagree with their views, stating that "safety is the prerequisite for everything. Cyclists, even those riding for fitness, are first and foremost participants in traffic and must abide by traffic rules." In short — on the road, drivers, pedestrians, and "knights" all have equal footing, and no one has special privileges.
Traffic experts suggest that choosing a safe cycling environment may effectively help avoid "violations," ensuring both safety and fitness goals. On roads with motor vehicle lanes, bicycles must ride in the non-motorized vehicle lane; if there is no non-motorized vehicle lane, cyclists should ride within 1.5 meters to the right of the motor vehicle lane, not riding side by side, and must not ride on overpasses. Bicycles must be equipped with all necessary safety warning signs before hitting the road, including helmets, gloves, and mandatory use of lights at night — one car driver commented: "At night, on roads with poor lighting, we can only see bicycles with self-illuminating devices on their rear, while those without any lights or reflectors are usually only noticed when very close, which is extremely dangerous." Also, cyclists should slow down and signal with their hands before turning; sudden sharp turns are not allowed, nor is overtaking in a way that interferes with the vehicle being overtaken. Experts refer to hand signaling while cycling as a "life-saving move" — since bicycles lack turn signals, signaling left or right is essential to avoid rear-end collisions or crashes. Moreover, the stronger hand should always be used to control the bike. Most people have a stronger right hand, so the left hand should be used for signaling. This shows that reflectors and hand signals can also play the role of "guardians of life."
If you are cycling for fitness, please avoid sections with complex traffic; if you are a commuting cyclist, please strictly adhere to traffic regulations. Also, please note: the newly issued "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law" explicitly states that riding non-motorized vehicles such as bicycles under the influence of alcohol is prohibited. Strictly speaking, this holds the same standard as drunk driving a motor vehicle. Many "knights" find the ban on cycling under the influence surprising and are not immediately accepting of it. The traffic police are patient about this: it's okay if you don't accept it, but you will have to face penalties — just get used to it over time. Additionally, the new regulations state that "bicycles must adhere to the 15 km/h speed limit." This has also upset some highly skilled riders. They may not like it, but there’s no changing it — excessive speed can lead to loss of control and may endanger others. It is reported that in the United States, bicycles must have reflectors at both the front and rear. One city in California even stipulates: when cycling on scenic riverside paths, if your speed exceeds 24 km/h, you will be fined $50, and a second violation will result in a fine of $100. Patrol officers regularly conduct speed checks using radar guns, and if a cyclist is caught speeding, a ticket is immediately issued.