The article is provided by our media partner 7ITSNEWS.
The 2025 Guangzhou Municipal Government Work Report proposed: improving precise traffic regulation, accelerating micro-level traffic organization and micro-level traffic facility improvements (referred to as the “Dual Micro-Improvements”), addressing a number of traffic congestion points and disorderly areas, optimizing and upgrading the slow-traffic system, ensuring various traffic participants use their respective lanes and proceed orderly, thereby significantly improving urban traffic conditions. It also explicitly required “further optimizing the setup of non-motorized vehicle lanes, allowing electric bicycles ‘to have a path to ride’.” This has led to the innovative introduction of the Mixed Traffic Lane Mode, designed to integrate motorized and non-motorized vehicles more effectively.
As of the end of June 2025, the cumulative number of registered and licensed electric bicycles in Guangzhou had exceeded 6.1 million. While convenient for residents’ travel, electric bicycles have also become a major pain point in urban traffic management.
To optimize the traffic order and space for non-motorized vehicles, especially electric bicycles, and solve the problem of electric bicycles having “no road to ride on,” the Guangzhou Transport Planning Research Institute Co., Ltd. (referred to as “GTPI”), in cooperation with the Traffic Management Division of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau (referred to as “Guangzhou Traffic Police”), the Guangzhou Municipal Transportation Bureau, and other relevant departments, based on the concept of “mixed motorized and non-motorized traffic,” innovatively proposed the mixed traffic lane improvement model. This aims to optimize and expand the passage space for non-motorized vehicles, enhance riding safety, reduce the impact of electric bicycles on other motor vehicle lanes, achieve dual improvements in “traffic efficiency and optimized order,” and create a safer, more orderly, and smoother traffic environment.
What does a Mixed Motorized and Non-Motorized Traffic Lane look like?
In recent years, Guangzhou’s transportation and public security departments have fully promoted the construction or improvement of non-motorized vehicle lanes following the principle of “setting them up wherever possible.” By the end of 2024, the installation rate of non-motorized vehicle lanes on primary and secondary trunk roads in the central urban area had increased from 55% in 2020 to 82%, laying a solid foundation for building a complete and safe slow-traffic system. However, constrained by road space limitations, it remains difficult to add dedicated non-motorized vehicle lanes on some existing urban trunk roads by compressing motor vehicle lane widths or reducing the number of motor vehicle lanes. Furthermore, the width of non-motorized vehicle lanes on many trunk roads is below 2.5 meters, creating a structural contradiction of “narrow lanes and many vehicles,” unable to meet the passage demand for electric bicycles during peak hours.
To address this, organized by Guangzhou Traffic Police, GTPI actively coordinated and optimized road space, innovatively proposing the mixed traffic lane as a transitional form for setting up dedicated non-motorized vehicle lanes. This addresses the problem where it’s difficult to add dedicated non-motorized vehicle lanes on some trunk roads or where the existing lane width does not meet standards or demand. It satisfies the passage needs of non-motorized vehicles, especially electric bicycles, while also improving traffic order and reducing traffic accident risks.
The mixed traffic lane is formed by merging the rightmost motor vehicle lane with the non-motorized vehicle lane (if present), using certain measures to separate it from the motor vehicle lanes on the left, with a speed limit of 40 km/h or below. The lane width generally does not exceed 5 meters. It is separated from other motor vehicle lanes by high guardrails, separation posts, or markings. An endpoint identifier for the shared lane is placed at the entrance. Openings in the separation guardrail are provided at intersections, parking lot entrances/exits, and at intervals along the road section to meet lane-changing needs.
Is the Mixed Traffic Lane truly effective?
Analysis of the implementation effects from pilot mixed traffic lanes shows that without increasing road resources, optimizing right-of-way allocation and innovating traffic organization methods have effectively expanded the passage space for non-motorized vehicles and enhanced the urban slow-traffic system. It can effectively cope with the traffic pressure brought by the surge in electric bicycle volume, and has produced positive effects such as standardizing electric bicycle traffic order, revitalizing road space resources, curbing illegal parking, and eliminating safety hazards. It is a “killing multiple birds with one stone” measure for electric bicycle management.
01. The proportion of non-motorized vehicles traveling within the designated lane significantly increased, effectively revitalizing road space resources and improving overall traffic efficiency.
Currently, the speed in the rightmost lane of trunk roads in Guangzhou’s central urban area is mostly around 25-30 km/h, and its actual traffic volume is only 40%-70% of the middle lanes. Affected by vehicles parking in the lane, its utilization rate is not high, providing objective conditions for sharing between motorized and non-motorized vehicles, especially electric bicycles. After implementing the mixed traffic lane, the rightmost lane is effectively revitalized, reducing the impact of electric bicycles on vehicles in the inner lanes and improving the overall traffic efficiency of the road.
● Taking the section from the East Gate of Sun Yat-sen University to Xiadu Road on Xin Gang Xi Road and the section outside Liying Plaza on Xin Gang Zhong Road (westbound to eastbound) as examples, after the improvement/retrofit, the proportion of non-motorized vehicle traffic occupying the inner 3 motor vehicle lanes decreased from 61% to about 5%. The proportion of non-motorized vehicles within the mixed traffic lane increased from less than 40% to about 95%. After the improvement, the traffic volume of non-motorized vehicles traveling within the designated lane increased by more than 50%. Additionally, the proportion of motor vehicle traffic within the shared lane at this section decreased from 9.2% to 8.8%, indicating no significant reduction in motor vehicle flow.
02. Non-motorized vehicles standardized their travel within the shared lane, effectively improving traffic order.
After implementing the mixed traffic lane, the passage space for non-motorized vehicles was optimized and expanded, effectively addressing the issue where roads planned and built earlier did not reserve space for non-motorized vehicle lanes, and where current road conditions make it difficult to set up non-motorized vehicle lanes that meet standard width requirements.
● Among the currently implemented pilots, the length of road sections that had no non-motorized vehicle lane before implementation accounts for about 14%, such as Xian Cun Road (both directions) in Tianhe District, Yuan Gang Heng Road (north to south), and Kong Gang Avenue (both directions) in Baiyun District. The length of road sections where the non-motorized vehicle lane width was between 1.5~1.8m before implementation accounts for about 61%, such as Xin Gang Road in Haizhu District, North Jiangnan Avenue (Xiao Gang Road to Nan Hua Dong Road), Dong Xiao Road (Jin Xi Road to Qian Jin Road), Xing Hua Road (Sha Tai Road to Guangzhou Avenue) in Tianhe District, Sha Tai South Road (Xing Hua Road to Tao Zhuang Road), and San Yuan Li Avenue (De Kang Road to Yi Shou Road) in Baiyun District. After implementation, the passage space for non-motorized vehicles was widened from less than 2.5 meters or “no road to ride on” to over 3.25 meters, significantly improving the riding experience. Simultaneously, non-motorized vehicles are confined by the separation guardrail to travel within the mixed traffic lane, drastically reducing random lane changes and weaving, lowering interference with vehicles in other lanes, and effectively improving traffic order on the road sections.
03. Reduced illegal parking offenses by motor vehicles, effectively eliminating safety hazards.
After implementing the mixed traffic lane, motor vehicles in the shared lane “stop only briefly for pick-up/drop-off,” effectively reducing long-term illegal parking offenses. Due to the physical separation of the guardrail, motor vehicles stopping temporarily in the mixed lane are pressured by following vehicles to move on, keeping stopping times generally short. Meanwhile, both motorized and non-motorized vehicles follow sequentially, with speeds limited to 40 km/h or below, reducing their speed difference to within 20 km/h. This lowers the probability of rear-end and side collision accidents, effectively eliminating safety hazards.
How should drivers behave in the “Mixed Traffic Lane”?
The mixed traffic lane is a new traffic organization method where motorized and non-motorized vehicles share one lane. Only when both motorized and non-motorized vehicle drivers fully understand and jointly adhere to the traffic rules, ensuring civilized and safe travel, can its intended effects be fully realized.
01. Rules for motor vehicles in the mixed traffic lane:
Motor vehicles can travel throughout the entire cross-section of the shared lane.
Motor vehicle speed within the mixed traffic lane must not exceed 40 km/h.
When there are non-motorized vehicles ahead or vehicles stopping/slow moving, motor vehicles should follow behind in a car-following mode, proceeding in sequence and slowing down.
Motor vehicles stopping on the right side of the mixed traffic lane for pick-up/drop-off must do so briefly and leave immediately; prolonged parking is prohibited.
At openings in the separation guardrail between the mixed traffic lane and adjacent motor vehicle lanes, motor vehicles entering or exiting should slow down, paying attention to through non-motorized vehicles and vehicles from adjacent lanes.
02. Rules for non-motorized vehicles in the mixed traffic lane:
Non-motorized vehicles can travel throughout the entire cross-section of the shared lane.
Under normal motor vehicle traffic conditions, non-motorized vehicles should follow in a car-following mode, proceeding in sequence; overtaking motor vehicles from the left is prohibited.
At bus stops within the mixed traffic lane, where buses stop on the right for boarding/alighting, non-motorized vehicles should in principle pass on the left of the stopped bus.
When a vehicle ahead turns right or stops temporarily for pick-up/drop-off, non-motorized vehicles should actively slow down, stop, and yield, passing slowly on the left of the temporarily stopped vehicle after observing the road conditions and ensuring safety.
On road sections with mixed traffic lanes, non-motorized vehicles are prohibited from riding in spaces outside the mixed traffic lane, except for special locations like bus stops or areas with high temporary stopping demand where using the adjacent motor vehicle lane is permitted.
03. Common incorrect behaviors on mixed traffic lane sections:
Incorrect Behavior 1: Non-motorized vehicles traveling in lanes other than the mixed traffic lane.
Incorrect Behavior 2: Motor vehicles picking up/dropping off passengers at openings of the mixed traffic lane or in the adjacent motor vehicle lane.
Incorrect Behavior 3: Motor vehicles parking for extended periods at the start/end points or within the mixed traffic lane.
Incorrect Behavior 4: At bus stops within the mixed traffic lane, buses not stopping on the right for boarding/alighting, and non-motorized vehicles passing on the right of the stopped bus.
Continuously Optimizing Road Space, Promoting Refined Traffic Management
In recent years, GTPI, jointly with Guangzhou Traffic Police and other departments, has strengthened the optimization of road space and actively promoted the refinement of traffic management.
● In March 2024, 4 intersections designed by GTPI for “Dual Micro-Improvements” were successfully selected into the Top 100 National Fine Management Cases for Urban Road Intersections, an appraisal organized by the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. Using “micro-improvements” to promote “major optimization” of road resources, achieving dual improvements in traffic efficiency and non-motorized vehicle compliance rates.
● In September 2024, GTPI created a “one-way bidirectional” non-motorized vehicle lane on Fangcun Avenue West (from Jiaokou Bus Terminal to Shuangqiao Road Section) in Liwan District, tailored to local conditions, connecting the non-motorized vehicle link across the Pearl River Bridge.
Currently, GTPI has assisted relevant departments in conducting pilots for “mixed traffic lanes” on about 60 road sections in Guangzhou’s central urban area, totaling approximately 42 kilometers in length. They are continuously collecting and summarizing pilot experience, optimizing and enhancing the improvement effects, while also strengthening publicity and guidance to popularize/educate citizens on the traffic rules for motorized and non-motorized vehicles within the mixed traffic lanes.
Moving forward, GTPI will uphold the concept of “refined management,” continuously optimize road space with a craftsman spirit, support Guangzhou in accelerating micro-level traffic organization and micro-level traffic facility improvements, accelerate the refinement of traffic management, significantly improve urban traffic conditions, and strive to build a modern new Guangzhou where citizens can travel more conveniently, comfortably, and pleasantly.
Moving forward, GTPI will uphold the concept of “refined management,” continuously optimize road space with a craftsman spirit, support Guangzhou in accelerating micro-level traffic organization and micro-level traffic facility improvements, accelerate the refinement of traffic management, significantly improve urban traffic conditions, and strive to build a modern new Guangzhou where citizens can travel more conveniently, comfortably, and pleasantly. The ongoing implementation of the Mixed Traffic Lane Mode will remain a central part of this strategy.
Author: Ruimin Li
Sourse: Guangzhou’s Innovative Practice: The Mixed Motorized and Non-Motorized Traffic Lane Model\7ITSNEWS
