Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    APP-BASED bike operators are required to report the number and locations of bicycles that they have planned to put around venues one day before the start of large gatherings, such as concerts.

    The information sharing mechanism also applies at parks and business areas where crowds of bicycles and pedestrians are often seen during holidays.

    Five hours before large gatherings, the operators are required to clear the bikes from the area within 3 kilometers of the core area of the gatherings and dissuade bike riders from entering the core area with the bikes.

    After the start of concerts, bike operators can put an appropriate amount of bikes in the area within 1 kilometer of the key area and 1 to 3 kilometers within the core area for riders to use after the concerts.

    The move is to ensure safety during major occasions or activities in the city and avoid the perils caused by the overcrowding of people and bicycles.

    For those who illegally park bikes in restricted areas, police will impose a 20 yuan (US$2.9) fine and impound the bikes.

    “Operators who fail to fulfill the requirements will be held responsible if any accidents occur on the road,” said Gao Hao, deputy section chief with the Parking Lot Management Section of the city’s traffic police bureau, adding that a joint office would be set up at large venues to handle emergencies.