Safe Riding
Riding in Hong Kong · Tips & Common Mistakes
HK has unique rules — traffic keeps LEFT (as in the UK and Japan), hilly terrain, dense urban roads. 5-minute briefing before you ride.
Speed & Road Surface
- ▸Urban limit 50 km/h; trunk roads & expressways 70 / 80 km/h; North Lantau Highway 110 km/h (highest in HK)
- ▸NO lane changes inside tunnels (double white lines); stay LEFT
- ▸Wet manhole covers, oil patches & rain-soaked tar are extremely slippery
- ▸Mountain roads in Sai Kung, Tai Tam, Lantau have tight bends — slow before entry
HK-Specific Rules
- ▸Traffic keeps LEFT — same as UK / Japan; roundabouts clockwise
- ▸NO turn on red (left turn or any direction) unless a dedicated green arrow is lit
- ▸No parking in restricted zones / bus & taxi lanes / yellow box / pavement
- ▸Cross-Harbour, Eastern and Western Harbour tunnels: HK$8–24 for motorcycles (40% of the time-varying private-car toll, higher at peak times), billed automatically via HKeToll
- ▸Some roads prohibit or restrict motorcycles. Check the verified list below for bans, permit requirements and strong-wind arrangements
- ▸Under s.37 of the Road Traffic (Driving Licences) Regulations (Cap. 374B), visitors may ride in Hong Kong on a valid overseas driving licence or International Driving Permit for up to 12 months after arrival.
Motorcycle bans and restricted roads
Check whether a route excludes ordinary rental motorcycles, requires a permit, or allows access only under specific conditions. These are key locations where a navigation app can lead riders towards a restriction.
1. Discovery Bay Tunnel and connecting roads
No ordinary rental access- Road and restriction
- The tunnel and its connecting roads are reserved for vehicle classes specified by law. Ordinary rental motorcycles are not an authorised class.
- Before you ride
- Do not use the tunnel as a motorcycle route into Discovery Bay. A navigation suggestion does not override vehicle-class restrictions.
2. Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge cross-boundary route
No ordinary rental access- Road and restriction
- Motorcycles are prohibited on the cross-boundary bridge route; section 2.2.6 of the official user guide lists them as prohibited vehicles.
- Before you ride
- Do not attempt to ride across to Zhuhai or Macao. Local Hong Kong Port access roads and motorcycle parking have separate arrangements; the cross-boundary ban does not mean every road around the Hong Kong Port prohibits motorcycles.
3. All roads on Ma Wan
Applicable permit required- Road and restriction
- From 30 April 2026, all roads on Ma Wan are designated prohibited zones 24 hours a day. Motorcycles need an applicable Transport Department permit to enter.
- Before you ride
- A rental booking or a visit to a resident does not grant a permit. This restriction concerns Ma Wan roads; it does not prohibit every motorcycle travelling through the Lantau Link.
4. Tung Chung Road south of Shek Mun Kap and South Lantau roads
Applicable permit required- Road and restriction
- Tung Chung Road south of Shek Mun Kap and all South Lantau roads are within the Lantau closed-road area. An applicable Lantau Closed Road Permit is required.
- Before you ride
- Ordinary rental motorcycles cannot simply ride to South Lantau destinations such as Cheung Sha, Tong Fuk, Shek Pik, Tai O or Mui Wo. The Driving on Lantau Island day scheme is for private cars, not motorcycles.
5. Restricted country park roads beyond Pak Tam Chung barrier
Applicable permit required- Road and restriction
- Entering restricted country park roads beyond the Pak Tam Chung barrier requires an applicable vehicle access permit and compliance with its conditions. This is not a motorcycle ban on all Sai Kung roads.
- Before you ride
- Do not follow navigation straight through the barrier towards country park attractions. AFCD does not accept driving-permit applications for sightseeing. Other restricted country park roads also have their own permit conditions.
6. Expressways, including West Kowloon Highway
Conditional access- Road and restriction
- Expressways do not ban all motorcycles. Learner drivers, petrol motorcycles below 125 cc and electric motorcycles rated below 3 kW may not use them without written approval.
- Before you ride
- Check your driving entitlement, the motorcycle specification and entrance signs. West Kowloon Highway is an expressway; restrictions on learners or low-capacity motorcycles are not a blanket motorcycle ban.
7. Lantau Link upper deck and Ting Kau Bridge during strong winds
Conditional access- Road and restriction
- When Stage I strong-wind traffic management measures are in force, motorcycles are wind-susceptible vehicles and may not use the Lantau Link upper deck or Ting Kau Bridge. Motorcycles on the Lantau Link are directed to the lower deck.
- Before you ride
- Check current traffic announcements and follow signs. The Lantau Link lower deck is not permanently closed to motorcycles; strong-wind measures and closures change with conditions.
Check the vehicle symbol and supplementary plate
A no-motorcycles sign has a different meaning from no-learner, no-cycling and strong-wind traffic-control signs. Read any plate specifying hours, vehicle classes, permits or exceptions before entering. Do not stop abruptly or ride against traffic at a junction.
Official source ↗This list covers key examples and is not an exhaustive register of Hong Kong road restrictions. Temporary works, closures and strong winds can change access. Follow the latest official announcements, roadside signs and police or traffic officers’ directions. Renting a motorcycle does not grant access to a prohibited zone or closed road.
Weather & Signals
- ▸Amber/Red rainstorm: avoid elevated highways and tunnel junctions
- ▸Black rainstorm or Typhoon Signal 8+: pickup suspended; free rescheduling
- ▸First 15–20 min of rainfall is the most slippery (surface oil floats up)
- ▸Switch on DRL / low beam when visibility drops below 100 m
Essential Gear
- ▸Helmet (ECE 22.06 / DOT / JIS) — all Caberg/Shoei rentals are certified
- ▸Gloves (anti-slip + protection)
- ▸Long pants & sleeves (textile or leather jacket recommended)
- ▸Rain gear (HK summer storms 70+ mm/h)
- ▸Reflective vest for night riding
In Case of Accident
- ▸Stop immediately, hazard lights ON
- ▸Call us +852 5961 4354 (business hours); after-hours recovery / towing: +852 6228 4614
- ▸999 for injury or fault dispute; wait for officer
- ▸Photograph: plate, damage, scene (multiple angles)
- ▸Do NOT admit liability or settle privately before consulting us
Riding Tips
- ▸Uphill stop: use rear brake / handbrake to prevent rollback
- ▸Wet weather: front/rear brake 70/30, avoid lock-up
- ▸Slow in, fast out — accelerate after the apex
- ▸Long downhills: engine brake + light pad application to prevent fade
- ▸Side stand on firm ground; uphill park nose-up
🚨 Top 8 Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Detail | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Lane change in tunnel | Double white lines forbid lane changes | HK$450 + 3 pts |
| Stopping in Yellow Box | No prolonged stop | HK$450 + 3 pts |
| Riding in bus/taxi lane during restricted hours | Check sign for hours (typically 07:00–10:00, 16:30–20:00) | HK$450 |
| Helmet loose or unworn | Chin strap must be secured; same for pillion | HK$500 + 3 pts |
| Parking on pavement | Pavement parking forbidden; designated bays only | HK$320 + towing HK$800+ |
| Left turn on red | HK drives left — NO turn on red unless dedicated arrow | HK$600 + 5 pts |
| Phone while riding | Hands-free Bluetooth only | HK$2,000 + 3 pts |
| Speeding over 15 km/h | Dense speed cameras, strict enforcement | From HK$450 + 3–10 pts |
* Fines and tolls are indicative; check HK Police Force / Transport Department for the latest figures.