Summary of the Core Content
Shenzhen's policy of incorporating electric bicycle traffic violations into the personal credit system may seem strict and severe, but its deterrent effect on the main users (lower-income groups in society) is limited, representing an abuse of the credit system. Personal credit is designed to serve financial lending purposes. In the past, various non-economic factors were arbitrarily included in the system, leading to its dysfunction. Although the state has taken measures to rectify this, similar practices are resurfacing. Behind this policy lies a misplaced governance approach that relies on punishment rather than effective management, failing to address the underlying issues of urban transportation.
I. Does Credit Reporting Deter Electric Bicycle Violations? Almost None for Lower-Income Users
The primary users of electric bicycles are from lower-income groups, such as delivery workers, small vendors, and ordinary laborers. With millions of electric bicycles in Shenzhen, most of these people struggle to obtain even small loans, let alone mortgages—given the high housing prices, they cannot afford to buy homes. Therefore, having their credit records damaged has no impact on their ability to purchase property. Restrictions on civil service exams or high-consumption activities are irrelevant to their lives; these requirements involve education and qualifications that they lack. The few exceptions (e.g., delivery workers preparing for civil service exams) are too few to make using the credit system a effective deterrent.
II. Credit Reporting Is Not a Trash Can: Overloading It Damages Its Purpose
The personal credit system is meant to assess economic credibility, such as whether someone repays loans or has overdue credit card payments, helping banks decide if they can be granted loans. However, in recent years, various non-economic activities (such as unpaid utility bills, mobile phone fees, spitting in public places, and not visiting home frequently) have been included in the system. Localities have even created their own credit scores (e.g., Hangzhou's HuiXin Score, Suqian's XiChu Score), linking them to school admissions and social assistance programs. The result? Residents find themselves on blacklists without understanding why, and a "credit cleansing" industry has emerged, damaging the system's credibility and efficiency. The state held a meeting in 2020 to address this issue.
III. Localities Are Again Turning to Credit Reporting, and Old Problems May Resurface
Recently, credit reporting has gained popularity again: Shanxi is encouraging the creation of local credit scores, Fujian aims for cross-provincial credit recognition, and Jinan has introduced the "QuanCheng Score." Although the documents emphasize "rule of law" and standardization, past experiences show that these efforts have often failed. Local governments' desire to expand their powers is not checked by existing systems, and the "credit reporting basket" may once again be filled with irrelevant information.
IV. Use the Right Tools to Solve Urban Transportation Problems
The high incidence of electric bicycle violations in Shenzhen reflects underlying issues in urban planning and infrastructure: narrow roads, insufficient non-motorized lanes, and difficult parking. These problems cannot be resolved by punishment alone. Using credit reporting for traffic violations is like using a financial tool as a means of administrative punishment—a misguided approach. Professional solutions are needed, such as improving non-motorized lanes, strengthening on-site enforcement, and promoting intelligent monitoring systems, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all credit system. Punishment alone does not address the root causes and can lead to new conflicts.
Conclusion
The credit reporting system is a specialized tool, not a general solution for social issues. Shenzhen's policy appears strict but misses the key points. To effectively address electric bicycle violations, efforts should focus on urban infrastructure and user education, rather than using the credit system as a scapegoat for lower-income groups. Otherwise, the problems will persist, and the carefully established credit system will be undermined.