Jinan is currently striving to become a National Civilized City, and the rising quality of its citizens has been adding positive points to the effort. However, behaviors similar to "Chinese-style jaywalking" can detract from the city’s image. Recently, traffic police have provided authoritative clarifications on certain traffic rules to help pedestrians avoid common misconceptions when crossing the road.
Misconception 1: Waiting for the green light while standing beyond the stop line. The correct approach: Wait within the stop line
Early on the 16th, reporters at the Ganshiqiao intersection observed that although several traffic police officers and assistants were maintaining order, many pedestrians and electric bike riders were still waiting for the green light while standing on the crosswalk. "As long as we don’t run a red light, it’s fine to cross on green. It shouldn’t be a problem to stand on the crosswalk," said a middle-aged woman about to cross the road.
Reporters noticed that the stop line for northbound-to-southbound road crossing was located on the outer side of the southernmost non-motorized vehicle lane at the intersection, roughly four to five meters behind where most people waiting for the signal tended to stand. Due to the large number of people waiting, a significant portion of the crosswalk was already occupied.
Since many pedestrians and cyclists were waiting beyond the stop line, reporters observed that when the right-turn signal turned red, many right-turning vehicles had to weave through pedestrians and electric bikes, almost bringing the intersection to a standstill. Additionally, vehicles attempting left turns from the service road were almost entirely blocked by pedestrians, making smooth passage difficult and increasing safety risks for both pedestrians and electric bike riders.
Reporters observed at several intersections and found that most pedestrians and electric bike riders tended to wait for the green light while standing beyond the stop line. Relevant laws and regulations stipulate that when crossing the road, pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles should wait behind the stop line. At intersections without crosswalks, individuals should observe oncoming traffic, confirm safety, and then proceed directly across—without suddenly accelerating or reversing midway when vehicles are approaching.
Misconception 2: Riding a bicycle across the intersection via the sidewalk. The correct approach: Dismount and push the bike
At noon on the 16th, at the intersection of Jinqi Road and Weiyi Road, a young man rode his bicycle from the sidewalk, moving from north to south, causing pedestrians on the sidewalk to step aside. Reporters observed the area for about 15 minutes and noticed dozens of electric bike and bicycle riders—apart from a few older cyclists who dismounted and pushed their bikes—mostly riding straight through the intersection. During peak traffic hours, although electric bikes couldn’t go very fast, most riders still pedaled slightly and coasted forward rather than dismounting and pushing their bikes.
On crosswalks, pedestrians have the right of way. If non-motorized vehicles need to cross the intersection here, riders must dismount and push their vehicles. Especially for electric bikes, which can travel at high speeds, riding through crosswalks can easily lead to collisions with pedestrians.
Misconception 3: Being caught in the middle of the road when the light changes—trapped in a dilemma. The correct approach: Being in the middle when the light turns red does not count as running a red light
At many larger intersections in the urban area, the green light duration for pedestrians is relatively short, and it’s possible to be caught in the middle of the road when the light turns red. On Jingshi Road, some elderly people walking at a slower pace fail to cross the entire intersection during one green light cycle and have to wait on the central safety island until the next green light. Reporters learned that the wider the road, the more likely it is for pedestrians to have to cross in two stages.
According to relevant regulations, pedestrians are prohibited from entering the crosswalk when the red light is on, but those already in the crosswalk may continue crossing or wait at the center line of the road. Therefore, being in the middle of the road when the light turns red does not count as running a red light. Traffic police advise pedestrians that if the light turns red midway, it’s best to wait for the next green light rather than speeding up to cross on red, in order to avoid traffic accidents.
Misconception 4: Riding diagonally across the intersection to the opposite corner. The correct approach: Take a counterclockwise “L”-shaped route
On the morning of the 15th, at the northern end of Jiluo Road, a middle-aged man riding an electric bike crossed diagonally from the southeast corner of the intersection to the northwest corner while eastbound and westbound vehicles were making left turns. A traffic officer stopped him and patiently explained that there are no diagonal crosswalks or bike lanes at the intersection, so to reach the opposite corner, one should take an “L”-shaped route—that is, cross the road twice.
Recently, reporters observed how pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles cross the road at multiple intersections and found that it’s not uncommon for electric bikes and even pedestrians to cross diagonally. Traffic police explained that while everyone knows the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, crossing diagonally poses many safety risks because, although it may seem like there’s little traffic, left-turn signals might actually be active.
Additionally, reporters learned that even taking an “L”-shaped route has specific rules. For example, going from the northeast corner to the southwest corner of the Jinqi-Weiyi intersection—if riding a bike—one should first cross the east-west road, then the north-south road. In other words, to reach the opposite corner of the intersection, one should follow a counterclockwise direction. However, during interviews, reporters found that almost no electric bike riders were aware of this rule.