Electric bicycles can now travel through the upper deck of the Fuxing East Road Tunnel during nighttime hours under a pilot program aimed at improving Shanghai's slow-traffic transportation system.

The initiative, which allows e-bikes to use the tunnel from 11 pm to 5 am, marks the first time a cross-river passage in Shanghai has been opened to such traffic. The move has been welcomed by e-bike commuters, particularly delivery workers and chauffeur service providers.

A delivery driver surnamed Jiang said the new access has made it easier for him to fulfill late-night orders on both sides of the Huangpu River, a task that was previously difficult due to limited and costly transportation options.

A chauffeur service driver surnamed Wang, who uses an e-bike to travel between jobs, said the tunnel access has expanded his business opportunities and eased his concerns about getting home late at night, a peak business time for his profession.

"This initiative is very friendly to late-night workers like me," Wang said.

The Huangpu River, which separates Shanghai's Puxi and Pudong districts, has long posed a challenge for e-bike riders after dark. During the day, the city's ferry services are available, but they shut down overnight, leaving riders with few options. Some have resorted to trespassing on motorvehicle-only bridges or tunnels to cross the river.

The Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission has been exploring ways to allow e-bikes to use the city's cross-river tunnels as part of broader efforts to improve the slow-traffic infrastructure.

The Fuxing East Road Tunnel was chosen for the pilot program because of its two-deck design, which allows for the separation of motorized and nonmotorized traffic, and its relatively low traffic volume at night.

The designated nighttime hours align with the operating schedule of nearby ferries, creating a 24-hour water-land connection for e-bikes in central Shanghai, according to the commission.

During these hours, e-bike riders are required to maintain a speed limit of 15 kilometers per hour. Other vehicles and pedestrians are prohibited from using the upper deck for safety reasons.

Li Gen, a traffic police officer on duty on the tunnel's first night of operation, said safety was a top priority.

"To ensure smooth operations, the tunnel has been reconfigured to separate e-bike and motor vehicle traffic — the upper deck for e-bikes, the lower one for motor vehicles," Li told local media outlet Shanghai Observer.

Tunnel management has also been adjusted to address potential challenges posed by e-bike traffic, with emergency plans in place for accidents, heavy rain or icy conditions.

On the first night of the program, 489 e-bikes used the tunnel, according to the transportation commission.

Officials said the pilot program's success could lead to additional cross-river slow-traffic routes opening at night.