A video showing a blind girl being knocked down by an electric bicycle while walking on a designated tactile blind path has gone viral in China, triggering widespread public anger and renewed debate over accessibility enforcement.
The incident reportedly took place in Beijing, where the visually impaired girl was seen walking along a tactile guiding path when she was struck by an e-bike illegally riding on the same lane.
Footage showed her falling to the ground after the collision, with her white cane flung aside and her hand injured in the impact.
According to the video, the male rider got off his vehicle but instead of apologising, he allegedly scolded the girl, asking, “Don’t you watch the road?” When she responded that she was walking on a blind path, he reportedly dismissed her claim and left the scene.
The incident has sparked strong condemnation online, with many calling for swift action from authorities and accountability for the rider involved.
Beijing traffic police later responded in the comment section of the viral post, saying they were aware of the case and would verify the situation and handle it according to the law.
The victim later said the incident happened some time ago, adding that her injuries had healed and that she had since received an apology and contact from relevant authorities.
Despite national legislation such as China’s Accessibility Environment Construction Law, which was fully implemented in 2023, enforcement challenges remain in many cities.
Reports indicate that tactile paving paths are often obstructed by electric bicycles, shared bikes, or other objects, with some sections damaged or poorly designed, making it difficult and sometimes dangerous for visually impaired individuals to navigate.
Similar incidents have been reported in other cities including Xi’an, Nanjing, Tianjin and Fujian, where blind paths have been blocked or misused, raising concerns over systemic accessibility failures.
Authorities have repeatedly reminded the public that blind paths are strictly reserved for visually impaired pedestrians and must not be used for cycling or parking.
Experts have called for stronger enforcement and greater public awareness to ensure safer, more inclusive urban environments for people with disabilities.
