jphripjah

I visited Xi'an about two weeks ago, this was my first trip to Xi'an, but my 4th or 5th time in mainland China. I've also visited a fair number of other countries.

I notice something in Xi'an that I've never really seen before and I wanted to ask if anyone can explain it.

Xi'an has a number of scooters/motorbikes on the road, some are mototaxi drivers. Xi'an also has Thai-style tuk tuks.

Anyway, I noticed that a strangely high percentage (50%?) of the scooters and tuk tuks I saw driving around Xi'an at night weren't using their headlights. Why not? Are their headlights all broken? Are they trying to save the bulb life? Are they trying to save gas by not using headlights?

Is using headlights as a sign of being wimp in Xi'an/China?

I never noticed this phenomenon in Beijing or Shanghai, was I not paying attention?

JPDM

Same thing in Beijing. Dangerous as hell when these electric scooters, making no noise, are driving on the sidewalk with no lights. I think that there is a false belief that not using the lights is saving some money.

889

I doubt anyone ever replaces the bulbs when they burn out.

anacapamalibu

Seen cars..motorcycles..mopeds with no lights on after dark. Had to ask...what's up.

Answer was always...lights use energy...saves money on fuel to not run lights.

That was pre led lights. Now...what reasoning?

Silent Orange

It's not a city-specific or a cultural thing. People just don't care.

Silent Orange

Still the same because people may not know LED is more energy efficient? Also all lights have the chance of breaking, LED or not.

jphripjah

That's what I thought.

I wonder why they do this in China though, there are plenty of scooters in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia, where people are often "poorer," and they still turn on the lights at night.

anacapamalibu

Who needs headlamps?



A young Chinese boy who was born with brilliant blue eyes - like those of a Siamese cat - claims to have the ability to see in pitch darkness.

dongyeh

It is just because they don't have such knowledge that light should be turned on at night.

In most Chinese cities, the electric scooters are categorized as bicycles by authorities and only allowed to run <=15km/h. No license, no training required for the rider.

The tuk-tuk-like vehicles are in fact illegal in most part of China, the drivers usually do not have any driving license. They just don't know it is safer when light on.

jphripjah

I find that a bit hard to believe. I don't remember anyone educating me that lights should be turned on at night when I got my driver's license.

anacapamalibu

From their marketing material the manufacturer appears to be focused on
other features.

Loren Pechtel

Here it's in the driver's training handbook. (A matter of what the law says about when your lights must be turned on.)

painintheuk

I've asked some people and they told me the same thing - saves electricity.

Dr. PITUK

anacapamalibu

I read an article regarding motorcycle riding in China from the past. It said you can not operate your headlamp if another vehicle is approaching within 500 ft. Running lights provide sufficient light to drive safely. Back 20 years ago that seems reasonable as speeds and traffic were less.

The thought was as a courtesy you should turn off headlamp so as not to blind oncoming driver. So most motorcycle drivers never used headlamps as they would risk breaking rules-law. Debunks the cost saving argument...supports compliance with communist rules.

anacapamalibu

1989 American Motorcyclist