Electric bicycle riders in Shanghai now have access to the upper deck of the Fuxing East Road Tunnel across the Huangpu River during nighttime hours, as part of a pilot program designed to improve the city's slow-traffic transportation system. The program allows e-bikes to use the tunnel from 11 pm to 5 am, marking the first time such a cross-river route in Shanghai has been opened to e-bike traffic. This initiative has been particularly beneficial for delivery workers and chauffeur service providers.
One delivery driver, surnamed Jiang, shared that the new access has made it easier for him to fulfill late-night orders on both sides of the river, a task that used to be challenging due to limited and expensive transportation options. A chauffeur service driver named Wang, who uses an e-bike for his job, stated that the tunnel access has created more business opportunities for him and alleviated concerns about getting home late at night, which is a peak business time.
The Huangpu River, which separates the Puxi and Pudong districts, has long been a barrier for e-bike riders after dark. While ferry services are available during the day, they stop operating at night, leaving riders with few options. Some have resorted to illegally using motor vehicle-only bridges or tunnels to cross the river.
The Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission has been working to find ways to allow e-bikes to use cross-river tunnels as part of efforts to enhance the city's slow-traffic infrastructure. The Fuxing East Road Tunnel was selected for the pilot program due to its two-deck design, which separates motorized and non-motorized traffic, and its relatively low traffic volume at night.
The tunnel's operating hours align with the ferry schedules, creating a continuous connection for e-bikes between the riverbanks. During these hours, e-bike riders must adhere to a speed limit of 15 kilometers per hour, and the upper deck is restricted to e-bikes only, with other vehicles and pedestrians prohibited for safety reasons.
Traffic officer Li Gen, who was on duty during the first night of the program, emphasized that safety was a top priority. To ensure smooth operations, the tunnel's management has been reconfigured to separate e-bike and motor vehicle traffic, with emergency plans in place for potential challenges such as accidents or severe weather.
According to the transportation commission, 489 e-bikes used the tunnel on its first night of operation. Officials believe that the success of the pilot program may lead to additional cross-river routes being opened to slow-traffic vehicles during nighttime hours.
Source:https://www.ecns.cn/news/society/2025-02-19/detail-ihenxmvs7431781.shtml
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